Gas Prices Receding Back To Normal

States Worked To Fight Price Gouging

NEW YORK -- Some gas stations are sheepishly lowering their prices today -- a day after jacking them up in response to the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Also, the Environmental Protection Agency has lifted summer clean air requirements for gasoline.

Bush administration officials say the end was ordered three days ahead of schedule, to avert any shortage of supplies.

Several stations, particularly in the Midwest, raised prices out of fears that supplies would be cut off.

The R and L Texaco in Oklahoma City increased the price of unleaded gasoline to $5 a gallon Tuesday after a supplier told the station owner it was unclear when the next shipment would be available, and at what price. But the owner now said he realizes he overcharged customers and will be offering refunds.

Motorists fearful of shortages rushed to fill their tanks, sometimes waiting an hour or more. Police kept watch in store parking lots after reports of fights between motorists jockeying for places in line were taking place.

Tom Kloza of the Oil Pricing Information Service in Lakewood, N.J., said wholesalers have already rescinded price hikes. He said, "Things are settling down considerably today." He said the attacks on New York and Washington have not threatened the distribution system.

Exxon Mobil spokesman Tom Cirigliano said late Tuesday, "We have ample supplies. We're trying to avoid an artificial shortage." By this morning, prices were falling.

State and federal officials are investigating instances of price gouging and may prosecute.

The Mississippi attorney general's office was investigating reports of gas prices doubling and tripling. Attorney General Mike Moore said such gouging in a time of national emergency "will not go without redress."

North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper was also warning consumers and businesses to beware of price gouging.

"The best way to combat gouging is to buy from those retailers who have not chosen to increase their prices sharply," Cooper said. "As always, we recommend that consumers look for the lowest available prices."

The North Carolina Consumer Protection Division of the attorney general's office received more than 100 complaints about fuel price gouging, both gasoline and diesel, and complaints continue to be called in.

The American Petroleum Institute said there is no threat of a fuel shortage, and OPEC has pledged to maintain stability.

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