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It's been a week since Gov. Jon huntsman asked two state agencies to monitor gas prices, but Utah's still the third most expensive place in the country to buy gas.
It's clear the average customer is pretty frustrated. One driver said, "I think we really do need to look into this matter." Another asked, "Why we're still the highest out here? I have no idea." And a third person said, "They're outrageous!"
The Department of Agriculture and Food's Weights and Measures program got about double the rate of complaints through June of this year than in all of 2007.
The department spokesman says they are taking this very seriously, adding on new inspectors to meet the increased need.
Still, tell that to people who are struggling to fill up every week so they can get to work. One woman told KSL, "It's just so expensive that I don't even want to go anywhere."
According to the AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report, the national average price for unleaded gasoline is $3.62. Drivers in Alaska are paying the most at $4.55 a gallon. In Hawaii, the average price at the pump is $4.42.
In Utah, on average, drivers are paying $3.98 a gallon. The lowest price in the country is in Missouri. Drivers there are paying an average of $3.45.
Lisa Roskelley, Gov. Jon Huntsman's spokeswoman, says, "We do expect prices to continue to go down. The biggest thing that individuals can do [to help it happen more quickly] is to shop around." Roskelley says by rewarding merchants whose prices are lower, Utahns can help put market forces to work and force prices lower.
E-mail: bbruce@ksl.com
