Do you have an explanation as to why that might be the case?

In my view, however, especially in these difficult economic times when workers and families are struggling to keep their heads above water, they should not be ripping off people.

But when you say that for whatever reason prices, say, in Rutland have been lower, is the whatever reason not that we do not see a lot of competition?

High gasoline prices have a very serious impact on many people and families in our State.

I was asking you whether you think it is just kind of a coincidence that all of this occurred at a time when there has been a lot of public discussion when I asked for an FTC investigation.

the Burlington retail gasoline market was mostly controlled by four companies, suggesting a possible lack of local competition.

It was brought to my attention by Senator Sanders' office that Burlington prices for a long period in his estimation were higher than the industry average.

It was apparent to me, as the Senator elegantly pointed out in his statement, that your market for a long time has been a great market for a gasoline retailer to sell gasoline in terms of margin above his costs.

Let me ask the questions.

OK. So they sell to you, and you can charge whatever you want, high or low.

I appreciate--Joe, and I did not mean to make your life miserable here, but you are the designated representative, right?

Since 2007, Costco has been seeking land use permits and approvals to build a gasoline filling station at our current store in Colchester, Vermont.

Does that sound like a vigorous competitor situation?

I think it is fair to say that most people in Vermont and throughout this country have the belief that year after year as these companies make enormous profits, they do not stay up nights worrying about the needs of working families or…

We will not be deterred, and will continue to try to obtain approval so we can provide this important core service to our Vermont members.

But I am not talking about Wawa, and I am not even talking about Gail in South Hero.

Champlain Oil. Are there any restrictions on the price that you can charge?

I think I took some of that data back to 2009, looking at wholesale rack prices in Burlington versus retail pump prices over a statewide configuration.

I think you made that point.

the price discrepancies the Senator outlined in his letter to the attorney general.

I urge you to complete a comprehensive study of the impact of high gas prices on the health and welfare of the senior citizens of Vermont.

Goldman Sachs, perhaps the largest speculator on Wall Street, came out with a report earlier this year indicating that excessive oil speculation is costing Americans about 56 cents a gallon at the oil pump.

That is what they pay you to do, right?

We can discern no legitimate reason for these appeals and believe that they are really an attempt to use the land use process to stifle competition for gas sales.

I certainly agree with approximately 98 percent of active publishing climate scientists... that global warming is real.