AGO Investigating Energy Pricing Allegations.Business Editors OLYMPIA, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 30, 2001 Washington Attorney General Christine Gregoire Christine O'Grady "Chris" Gregoire (born March 24, 1947) is the Democratic governor of the U.S. state of Washington. Gregoire's election to the office in 2004 was notable for her historically slim margin of victory over Republican Dino Rossi, who had appeared to defeat Gregoire on confirmed today that her office is investigating allegations that there may be price manipulation and unfair business practices behind the region's energy crisis. Gregoire said the investigation will look into possible violations of the state's antitrust and consumer protection laws consumer protection laws n. almost all states and the federal government have enacted laws and set up agencies to protect the consumer (the retail purchasers of goods and services) from inferior, adulterated, hazardous and deceptively advertised products, and . "We want to make sure Washington consumers and utilities are not being charged unfair rates," she said. In response to the energy crisis, California's Attorney General recently launched an investigation into allegations of collusion, price manipulations, unfair business practices and other possible violations of antitrust law antitrust law Any law restricting business practices that are considered unfair or monopolistic. Among U.S. laws, the best known is the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, which declared illegal “every contract, combination…or conspiracy in restraint of trade or . Gregoire said the Oregon Attorney General The Oregon Attorney General is a statutory office within the executive branch of the state of Oregon, and serves as the chief legal officer of the state, heading its Department of Justice with its six operating divisions. also is starting an investigation and the three states will work cooperatively. "Based on hints of manipulated energy supplies and allegations of price manipulation, I think we owe it to Washington utilities and consumers to make sure the soaring prices are not the result of illegal practices," Gregoire said. She noted that Securities and Exchange Commission filings by some power generators indicate their quarterly profits were 15 to 20 times greater than they were for the same period a year ago. "When we hear about these stunning profit increases, I think we need to investigate," she said. The Attorney General's Office has an Antitrust Division that enforces state and federal laws protecting consumers and businesses from anti-competitive practices Anti-competitive practices are business or government practices that prevent and/or reduce competition in a market (see restraint of trade). Anti-competitive practices can include: |
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