E-P-A urges investigation into high Midwest gas prices

(Capitol Hill-AP) -- The Federal Trade Commission has been asked to investigate why gas prices have gone sky-high in parts of the Midwest.<br><br>E-P-A administrator Carol Browner says there are no good

Thursday, June 15th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Capitol Hill-AP) -- The Federal Trade Commission has been asked to investigate why gas prices have gone sky-high in parts of the Midwest.

E-P-A administrator Carol Browner says there are no good reasons why Chicago and Milwaukee residents are paying about 40 cents more per gallon than other people around the country.

She says gas costs around two dollars and four cents a gallon in those two cities. The national average is around one dollar and 62
cents a gallon.

Browner says the reformulated, cleaner-burning gas that companies just began producing isn't the reason. She noted the same
gallon of clean gas is much cheaper in St. Louis.

Browner says the oil companies need to explain why prices are so high.

House Speaker Dennis Hastert says lawmakers will be looking for answers at a meeting they plan to hold with oil company officials next week.