BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Secretary of the Commonwealth Bill Glavin is calling on the state to investigate the recent rise in gas and oil prices In Massachusetts, citing possible price gouging.
Massachusetts is seeing record-high gas prices, as the average price for a gallon of regular gas in the Commonwealth is at $4.24, according to AAA. This price is seven cents higher than the national average and up nearly 60 cents from just a week ago. Galvin told WBZ NewsRadio he's skeptical of the motivation behind the rising prices.
"The rapidity in which the prices have increased and the lack of explanation of why they've increased, when in fact it has no direct relation to Russian supplies, needs to be examined," Galvin said. "If they have nothing to hide then we will know that, but I think it is urgent that we do something about this."
Gas prices have been rising across the country since the new year began, with concerns over inflation and the war in Ukraine causing prices to jump. President Biden announced a ban on importing Russian oil Tuesday. However, Galvin claims the gas and oil being used in Massachusetts was imported before the war in Ukraine.
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Galvin is calling on Attorney General Maura Healey and the government to start an investigation under the state's consumer protection laws on the pricing of home heating oil and gasoline in Massachusetts.
"The state and the federal government can't just simply sit by and say let the market figure it out," Galvin said. "If the market figures it out, it's going to be the disadvantage of the consumer."
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