By the OGJ Online Staff
WASHINGTON, DC, July 13 -- The US Federal Trade Commission Thursday said it plans a public conference Aug. 2 on why retail gasoline prices fluctuate so widely.
The hearing, to be held at FTC headquarters in Washington, is open to the public. It invited interested parties to attend or to submit written presentations.
FTC said it plans to hear "from a wide range of parties -- including consumer groups, industry participants, and independent experts -- to identify issues that merit in-depth study by the commission in public hearings to be held later this year.
"The goal of this conference is to solicit information and views relevant to the major factors affecting the prices of refined petroleum products, along with the relative importance of such factors."
The commission anticipates participants will focus on domestic and international aspects, including: the supply of crude oil, including the exploration, production, importation, and transportation of crude oil; the refining of fuel products and the importation of refined products; the transportation of refined petroleum products; and the marketing and distribution of refined fuels.
