CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch announced today that New Hampshire Attorney General's Office is joining with other states to probe national gasoline pricing and that he has directed state agencies to monitor against price gauging at local gas stations. In addition, the Attorney General's office has established a web link where consumers can report their concerns.

Gov. Lynch also said that based on conversations with fuel distributors, New Hampshire has sufficient gasoline supplies to meet the needs of both its residents and visitors.

"I was shocked to see gasoline prices surge past $3 yesterday, and I know that this dramatic increase is having a major impact on the wallets of our citizens and the budgets of our businesses," Gov. Lynch said.

"We are taking every step possible to ensure against price gouging. I have directed the Attorney General, the Department of Safety and the Department of Agriculture to monitor local gas stations to ensure that no one is taking advantage of this national crisis," Gov. Lynch said.

"All the evidence we have now shows that our local gas stations are acting responsibly and are as much a victim of the national oil market as the rest of New Hampshire's citizens," Gov. Lynch said.

"I am not convinced the same holds true for the big oil companies that control the oil market and oil distribution. That is why the Attorney General is currently in conversations with other Attorney Generals across the country about how we can best monitor the national pricing of oil products," Gov. Lynch said.

Gov. Lynch and Attorney General Kelly Ayotte are requesting that New Hampshire consumers report unusual gasoline prices through the "Report Gas Prices" link on the Department of Justice's web site at www.doj.nh.us/gasprice. Consumers can also email to: gasprices@doj.nh.gov and put in the subject line GASOLINE PRICING and report the following information:

• Retail Price
• Date and time
• Facility name and location

If the Attorney General's office becomes aware of a gas station that may be exploiting the current natural disaster by raising prices far beyond those justified by wholesale cost price increases, Ayotte will require that station owners answer questions and provide information to explain their pricing.

Ayotte stated "the vast majority of business owners will do the right thing, and not take advantage of tragic circumstances in the gulf coast states." She warned oil companies, suppliers and gasoline retailers against exploiting the recent natural disaster and taking unfair advantage of consumers by charging unconscionably high prices for gasoline.