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U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (VT) investigates gasoline price irregularities

GasBuddy Blog -- If asked to name the states where gas prices are highest many of us could easily name Hawaii, New York, California and Connecticut, where notoriously steep taxes keep gas prices extremely high, but most of us would probably overlook Vermont, which has the sixth highest average price of gasoline in the U.S.

Frankly, it's puzzling because Vermont's combined gasoline tax (44.5 cents per gallon) puts it among the lowest tax rates of the states populating the list of the 10 highest gas price averages. So why are Vermont's retail prices so high?

That's what Senator Bernie Sanders, a member of the U.S. Senate Energy Committee, wants to know. He's especially interested in learning why some distributor-owned-retail operations in...

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Submitted Dec 18, 2012 By: PD

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traffic cop Champion Author Boston Posts:1,241 Points:536,295 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Jan 1, 2013 10:32:26 PM Ignore traffic cop Report Abuse Bernie Sanders is a communist. Heck, I remember when Vermont had more cows than communists! He's a global-warming zealot and not to be trusted.
QuagmireLA Champion Author Louisiana Posts:1,079 Points:160,365 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Dec 27, 2012 3:05:34 PM Ignore QuagmireLA Report Abuse Glad to see somebody is looking into these obscene profits and price manipulation/fixing. The simplest thing to do would be to look at all the deregulation of the oil markets that happened over the last 20 yrs or so. There were mechanisms put in place after the 1970's "oil crisis" most of these controls have been eliminated or weakened so much that they have no effect. The answer to problem is in our recent past.
wxman08 Champion Author Vermont Posts:1,917 Points:401,470 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Dec 27, 2012 12:38:49 AM Ignore wxman08 Report Abuse Senator Sanders just got re-elected, and he doesn't take any oil money. We really can let those silly comments slide now...
unemployed58 Veteran Author Montreal Posts:250 Points:64,145 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Dec 25, 2012 2:51:06 PM Ignore unemployed58 Report Abuse Is there an election looming?
GAS1251 Champion Author Texas Posts:5,148 Points:1,626,230 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Dec 22, 2012 7:20:01 AM Ignore GAS1251 Report Abuse Certainly the fuel suppliers will cooperate with him on this investigation.
NSP31A Sophomore Author New Hampshire Posts:127 Points:248,050 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Dec 21, 2012 6:11:27 PM Ignore NSP31A Report Abuse If there were not so many government regulations and the dollar was tied to something with actual value (not just the full faith & credit of the US government), then prices would be lower. Plain and simple.
wxman08 Champion Author Vermont Posts:1,917 Points:401,470 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Dec 20, 2012 5:18:27 PM Ignore wxman08 Report Abuse What happens over a good portion of the year (when the "summer-blend" is in place) is that the gasoline that's being sold in the Burlington area is different (by law) & more expensive than gasoline that's sold in more rural areas of VT. Gasoline prices can vary a lot even across the rest of Chittenden county in VT. Winooski has usually been a place to get cheap gasoline, while parts of Burlington & South Burlington have usually had more expensive gasoline. People need to shop around & not be so loyal to a particular brand name.
TheMaltesePapa Rookie Author Florida Posts:2 Points:204,975 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Dec 20, 2012 10:48:04 AM Ignore TheMaltesePapa Report Abuse Sen. Sanders is a champion of the people. I appreciate his work on this and other issues.
TheMaltesePapa Rookie Author Florida Posts:2 Points:204,975 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Dec 20, 2012 10:48:03 AM Ignore TheMaltesePapa Report Abuse Sen. Sanders is a champion of the people. I appreciate his work on this and other issues.
judgemobile Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,570 Points:2,445,135 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 9:52:46 PM Ignore judgemobile Report Abuse this is what you do when you want to get re-elected.
CarefreeVT Champion Author Burlington Posts:1,806 Points:258,805 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 6:37:05 PM Ignore CarefreeVT Report Abuse GasBuddy, you should have stopped by and said "Hi"!
matthwbar Champion Author Toledo Posts:4,063 Points:1,017,805 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 1:08:08 PM Ignore matthwbar Report Abuse Good for him..
Everyman2012 Rookie Author Vermont Posts:1 Points:120 Joined:Dec 2012	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 12:47:33 PM Ignore Everyman2012 Report Abuse We do not need more or less government. We need a government that steps in when we, the people, get the short end of the stick. As is the case here. Fortunately for us Vermonters we have a politician who understands that. And I thank him for that.
Catfish93001 Champion Author Ventura Posts:1,200 Points:247,955 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 12:42:44 PM Ignore Catfish93001 Report Abuse Go Bernie!
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:33,011 Points:2,345,510 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 12:18:28 PM Ignore tomok Report Abuse U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (VT) investigates gasoline price irregularities? And what is Bernie going to find out what other investigators and states have not been able to find out? Just make Bernie look good and nothing will come of the investigation or anything against Big Oil or Big Gas. There will Not be cheaper fuel prices in the US. More refineries are Not the answer, Stop exporting fuel is! Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, vehicle manufactures Produce and the population ‘Drives’ vehicles with high MPG, are very safe, reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! XII/XXII/MMXII!
Cheepo Champion Author Tampa Posts:9,889 Points:3,128,005 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 12:10:15 PM Ignore Cheepo Report Abuse Keep the free market free from government!!!!!!!!
BigOyl All-Star Author Wichita Posts:892 Points:350,255 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 11:37:41 AM Ignore BigOyl Report Abuse Socialist scum!
Double_Golden Champion Author San Francisco Posts:2,560 Points:605,385 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 11:05:43 AM Ignore Double_Golden Report Abuse supply and demand...
MrLuigi Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:4,773 Points:966,685 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 11:03:01 AM Ignore MrLuigi Report Abuse make it work
CAD69 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:3,206 Points:846,240 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 11:00:04 AM Ignore CAD69 Report Abuse It’s about time!
homespesial All-Star Author Seattle Posts:710 Points:155,495 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 10:59:29 AM Ignore homespesial Report Abuse gas price in target
CapriceWagon All-Star Author Washington Posts:939 Points:479,070 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 10:56:21 AM Ignore CapriceWagon Report Abuse Why are the prices what they are? Because they can.
CheckitoutGuy Champion Author San Diego Posts:1,311 Points:769,590 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 10:54:17 AM Ignore CheckitoutGuy Report Abuse ?? Not news
Diesel_Ram Champion Author Dallas Posts:6,502 Points:1,518,460 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 10:53:06 AM Ignore Diesel_Ram Report Abuse Yeserdays story
LoadToad Champion Author San Diego Posts:1,364 Points:1,298,045 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 10:53:03 AM Ignore LoadToad Report Abuse Read yesterday
Tegger Champion Author Ontario Posts:3,123 Points:1,646,510 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 10:52:26 AM Ignore Tegger Report Abuse Deja vu
tomklo Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:2,447 Points:2,594,745 Joined:Jul 2002	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 10:52:22 AM Ignore tomklo Report Abuse good luck
BudsterMO Champion Author Kansas City Posts:3,710 Points:703,930 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 10:52:12 AM Ignore BudsterMO Report Abuse I guess nobody thinks Senator Sanders has a chance against big oil, but you may be pleasantly surprised.
mnbeancounter Champion Author Minnesota Posts:4,739 Points:1,062,815 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 10:52:11 AM Ignore mnbeancounter Report Abuse old posting
techque Champion Author St. Louis Posts:8,655 Points:2,419,630 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 10:51:43 AM Ignore techque Report Abuse v
CptnCanada Champion Author Saskatoon Posts:7,007 Points:914,975 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 10:51:43 AM Ignore CptnCanada Report Abuse someone is looking for campaign contributions.
DrLyon Champion Author Michigan Posts:6,650 Points:1,211,830 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 10:50:17 AM Ignore DrLyon Report Abuse Go for it...
jimmy544 Champion Author Boston Posts:4,111 Points:653,855 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 10:50:00 AM Ignore jimmy544 Report Abuse Go Bernie! I saw someone say here that Indiana needs to be checked out. I would agree to that. While I have not lived there I have driven through Indiana many times and it seems that the price for gas is pretty much the same everywhere in the state. Ohio and Illinois have much more variation in prices and Ohio is much lower usually. In Massachusetts the variation now is approaching a dollar a gallon from the highest priced gas to the lowest in the state.
tpguess Champion Author San Diego Posts:1,596 Points:371,610 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 10:48:43 AM Ignore tpguess Report Abuse Vermont is a state split by a Mt. Range... their trucking expense has to be one of the highest in the nation... just getting it to stations... ? Just a thought
40mpgsaturn Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:2,495 Points:521,255 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 10:46:49 AM Ignore 40mpgsaturn Report Abuse I hope he gets to the bottom of this.
JCI46009IN Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,129 Points:439,570 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 10:45:38 AM Ignore JCI46009IN Report Abuse Indiana needs to be checked CLOSELY
twiper1 Champion Author San Diego Posts:7,832 Points:1,606,060 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 10:45:26 AM Ignore twiper1 Report Abuse Commented on this yesterday
BartBuzz Champion Author Atlanta Posts:8,885 Points:1,775,760 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 10:45:08 AM Ignore BartBuzz Report Abuse ok
NotmeuQc Champion Author Montreal Posts:5,651 Points:1,133,925 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 10:45:01 AM Ignore NotmeuQc Report Abuse Yes, Bernie, investigate this, but once you get your results, do something about it.
Rajah Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,565 Points:2,306,565 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 10:44:26 AM Ignore Rajah Report Abuse Not much they can do without endangering all those nice campaign donations that come from the oil industry.
momof5MN Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:4,049 Points:214,035 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 10:44:05 AM Ignore momof5MN Report Abuse old news
Jeepergeo Champion Author San Bernardino Posts:1,380 Points:586,930 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 10:43:25 AM Ignore Jeepergeo Report Abuse We've heard this before. Not much if anything happens after the press release announcing the investigation.
noonedwagfan All-Star Author Dayton Posts:965 Points:242,080 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 10:43:09 AM Ignore noonedwagfan Report Abuse Old news.
sjf238 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:1,215 Points:647,955 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 10:42:08 AM Ignore sjf238 Report Abuse ok
bbthegun Champion Author San Diego Posts:5,983 Points:1,681,190 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 10:41:20 AM Ignore bbthegun Report Abuse Yesterday's news.
LVNV6ofSpades Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:1,624 Points:362,260 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 10:40:29 AM Ignore LVNV6ofSpades Report Abuse waste of tax money
Black Wagon Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,312 Points:1,802,020 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 10:39:23 AM Ignore Black Wagon Report Abuse Well it gives him something to do.
chyguy3 Champion Author Wyoming Posts:2,855 Points:859,540 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 10:38:13 AM Ignore chyguy3 Report Abuse Old.
obimerrill Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:1,440 Points:289,715 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 10:35:47 AM Ignore obimerrill Report Abuse Oil comapny Greed and collusion among retailers
gbs1 Champion Author Minnesota Posts:1,996 Points:742,375 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Dec 19, 2012 10:35:01 AM Ignore gbs1 Report Abuse When the oil wholesalers and retailers wish to gouge consumers, you end up with high prices.