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

Commission resumes east coast fact-finding tour at Placentia-St. Mary�s

The Petroleum Products Pricing Commission (PPPC) is about to spend another week on the road to see first-hand how the petroleum distribution network operates in the province.

This time, PPPC commissioner George Saunders will travel to the Placentia-St. Mary�s region as part of an extensive fact-finding tour of the east coast that started in the Trinity-Conception area a couple of weeks ago and is expected to conclude by the end of June, excluding the City of St. John�s.

Beginning Monday, May 26, Mr. Saunders, accompanied by research officer David Hillier, will start their trip at Fairhaven and then travel to areas including Long Harbour, Placentia, St. Bride�s and around to Colinet before heading back to Whitbourne.

The trip is expected to take the better part of the week, and Mr. Saunders said it is hoped that the duo will be able to meet with as many retailers, distributors and members of the public as possible.

One objective of the tour is to ensure that all retailers are registered with the commission, and allow them an opportunity to provide feedback about the regulatory system.

"These tours are important to the work we do at the commission when it comes to understanding the unique networks that exist in the different pricing zones we have established in the province," said Mr. Saunders. "We would only be able to get a true picture of the way things operate by getting out there and speaking with people face-to-face. We look forward to hearing what they have to say."

Media contact: Michelle Hicks, communications. Tel: 1-866-489-8800; (709) 489-8837; Cell: (709) 486-4789

2003 05 22                                      10:15 a.m.