This Congressional hearing focused on the causes of high retail
gasoline prices in California, Oregon, and Washington. Prices in West
Coast states are frequently among the highest in the nation and these states tend to experience longer periods of high prices compared with other areas in the United States. As of March 27, 2001, the retail prices of gasoline in West Coast states were higher than the national average?the average national price for a gallon of unleaded regular gasoline was $1.43, compared with $1.72 in California, $1.57 in Oregon, and $1.56 in Washington. Furthermore, according to the Energy Information Administration, gasoline prices are expected to rise this summer and price volatility remains a concern. Over the last 3 years, GAO has issued several reports on gasoline prices and gasoline price behavior in two West Coast states?California and Oregon. The analyses focused on observable factors that affect gasoline prices and did not address issues concerning the competitiveness of gasoline markets, which may also affect prices in these states. In addition, a report was issued in response to a mandate in Public Law 104-58 to determine
the effects of lifting the ban on Alaskan crude oil exports on crude oil prices and production, refiners, consumers, and the oil shipping industry on the U.S. West Coast.
As requested, we are providing you with information on the extent to which retail gasoline prices in Oregon spiked from January through August 1999 an...
Retail gasoline prices in the United States have risen sharply since early 1999, mostly in response to sharply rising world crude oil prices. Although...
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