By REUVEN BLAU
Posted: 4:14 am
June 29, 2008
A bill that could relieve some price pressure at the pumps by up to 25 cents a gallon will soon land on Gov. Paterson's desk.
The state Legislature last week passed a measure to allow independent gas station owners to buy wholesale fuel, which could reduce prices, according to lawmakers.
Big Oil vehemently opposes the legislation, arguing that lawmakers can't interfere with private contracts between fuel providers and dealers.
The bill would permit gas-station owners to purchase "unbranded" gas from wholesale distributors such as Valero. Last week, Valero unbranded gas was being wholesaled at $3.46 a gallon, with Shell going for $3.57.
