President Obama wants to find out if criminal activity could be to blame for the nation's high gas prices. He's ordered the Justice Department to look for any fraud or manipulation in oil markets.
"We’re going to make sure that nobody's taking advantage of American consumers,” said the President.
This comes as the country’s average price for regular gas now stands at $3.84 a gallon. That number is about 30 cents higher than one month ago and almost a dollar higher than one year ago.
GasBuddy.com said Friday Missouri’s average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $3.83 and rising. In Jefferson City, prices range from $3.67 to $3.79. In Columbia, prices range from $3.69 to $3.79. In the Lake area drivers are paying between $3.58 and $3.65.
The lowest price in the state can be found in Cape Girardeau, where folks are paying about $3.47 a gallon. The most expensive gas can be found in St. Louis where prices are hovering around the $4 mark.
While there are multiple reasons gas prices are so high, Attorney General Eric Holder said the goal of investigators is to make sure Americans aren't paying a penny more than they have to.
In a statement Thursday, he said, “If illegal conduct is responsible for increasing gas prices, state and federal authorities should take swift action."
Experts say drivers shouldn't expect a break at the pump anytime soon. If demand keeps up and the U-S dollar continues to weaken, some analysts fear prices could top $6.00 in some U.S. cities by the end of the summer. A recent Kansas City Star article pointed out Hawaiians are already paying $4.46 a gallon.
What do you think: is there criminal activity involved with these high gas prices?
How soon will it be before Mid-Missouri hits the four dollar mark?
Have you changed any summer plans yet because of high gas prices?
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