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August 22, 1997
(Government Services and Lands)


The following is being distributed at the request of Dennis M. Browne Q.C.:

Consumer advocate visits Lewisporte to study gas war

Dennis Browne, the consumer advocate appointed to explain the reasons for variation in gas prices across the province, completed a visit to Lewisporte today. Lewisporte has been experiencing a gas war for the past ten days. Today's prices in Lewisporte vary from 66.9 cents to 61.9 cents per litre. Prior to the gas war, prices in Lewisporte exceeded 70 cents a litre. Meetings were held with some retailers to discuss the decline in prices and the reasons why a price war erupted.

Browne said: "Lewisporte provides a very good case study. It indicates as well that the oil companies do have some flexibility in their pricing. The fact that all or some of these companies may be providing price support during the gas war to their retailers is indicative of the ability of these companies to maintain lower prices in cases where they see fit."

Browne also noted that gasoline in the Port Saunders-Port Au Choix area has now dropped again from 66.9 cents to 65.9 cents.

"Our study is progressing. We are continuing our research into other jurisdictions and will be holding a series fo meetings with representatives of the oil companies in late September to discuss these and other matters."

Contact: Dennis Browne, Q.C. (709) 754-1800

1997 08 22 1:30 p.m.
   

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