An academic study like this will drive some folks on the left nuts. Maybe they’ll sue the University for fixing the study.

A major investigation into the price of gasoline in Washington state uncovered no illegal activity, and discrepancies were explained by differences in wholesale gas prices, according to a report released today by the Washington Attorney General’s Office.The $161,00 study, done by University of Washington economist Keith Leffler, found the range between the highest and lowest wholesale gas price in the state was 3.4 cents per gallon.

“Competition can be particularly influenced by the number of hypermarketers, which are large retailers such as Costco, Wal-Mart and Safeway, that sell gas in the market area,” the study found. “Other contributing factors include wages paid to station attendants, property values and the number of vehicles per station.”

The study, the second of two parts commissioned by the AG’s office, focused on retail and wholesale gas-price data and included comments generated in a series of public meetings. It found that Washington drivers have actually used less gas over the past five years.

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