State: No illegal activity behind high gas prices

JUNEAU - The high gasoline prices paid by Alaskans are a result of unique market conditions in Alaska and not illegal activity.

Those are the conclusions of a gas pricing investigation conducted by the state after gas prices fell in the Lower 48 at a much faster rate than in Alaska.

Acting Attorney General Rick Svobodny released the report Thursday, saying the unique market conditions include few participants, small volumes, and limited threats of competition from outside sources.

Svobodny says the investigation reviewed information from retailers, distributors and refiners. Department of Law officials found no evidence high gasoline prices were the result of illegal activity, such as price fixing or collusion.

He says available information for Anchorage and Fairbanks indicates that retailers are not the cause of higher prices.