By Alabama Public Radio
Washington, DC – A recent review by the Federal Trade Commission says Alabama's law governing gasoline price competition protects retailers rather than helping consumers.
The review of the Alabama Motor Fuel Marketing Act was conducted at the request of Alabama House Speaker Pro Tem Demetrius Newton. The law prohibits retailers from selling gasoline at prices below cost or selling it to different customers at different prices on the same day. That practice is sometimes used in an effort to damage competitors' business.
The F-T-C's review says the act is unnecessary because it duplicates existing federal antitrust protections.