A major investigation may soon be launched in the pricing structure for retail gasoline prices in the St. Thomas-St. John district. And it will go beyond the reach of prior inquiries into the high cost of retail gasoline in this district.
WVWI Radio One quoted unnamed sources Tuesday evening as saying that the effort will be aimed at determining whether dealers who ought to be competitors are actually collaborating to set prices, and that federal authorities might be involved in the investigation.
Recently, St. Croix Sen. David Jones threatened to level charges of price fixing unless dealers voluntarily lowered the price per gallon by 15 cents. That has not occurred.
One industry source told Radio One that gas companies have taken a wait-and-see approach to see what action will be initiated before they act.
Although the report suggested that some initiative is imminent, no timetable was given.