The following is being distributed at the request of the Petroleum Products Pricing Commission:

Commission to meet with consumer group

The Petroleum Products Pricing Commission (PPPC) will meet with the executive of the Consumer Group for Fair Gas Prices, Tuesday, January 28 at 10 a.m. at St. John�s City Hall.

This meeting is part of a review of fuel regulation and associated pricing issues in Newfoundland and Labrador that is currently being conducted by the commission. To assist the PPPC in completing its review, stakeholders (including oil companies, resellers, and the consumer group) were invited to individually discuss issues related to petroleum products in the province.

George Saunders, PPPC commissioner, said he has also heard from all of the major oil companies operating in Newfoundland and Labrador, and each has expressed a willingness to meet with the commission as part of the review process.

"We are looking at this review as a means to help us fulfill our mandate more effectively and further develop a system that continues to be fair to all stakeholders," said Mr. Saunders. "I am pleased to see a continued cooperation between the oil companies and other groups operating in this province and the commission. I look forward to hearing their input."

Meetings with the oil companies� representatives will start as soon as a schedule can be co-ordinated.

Media contact: Michelle Hicks, Communications Officer; Cell: (709) 486-4789 (voice mail available)

2003 01 27                                       9:20 a.m.