People make the price of all commodities...taxes and local policies are irrelevant. If there is a glut of any commodity the price goes down irrespective of government policy...it goes up if there is a shortage. It is what people are willing to pay for a good or service.
BP and Shell raided in European commission price-rigging inquiry European commission carries out 'unannounced inspections' to investigate claims prices were rigged for more than a decade.
Oct 2012 Headline Shell and BP accused of collusion in South Africa. A six-company price-fixing racket spanning decades.
Jan 2002 Headline State (Hawaii) settles oil suit for 1%. The $2 billion action over inflated gas prices finally sputters out for a penny on the dollar.
Jan 1993 Headline Chevron, Mobil, Shell Oil to settle price-fixing suit. $151 million settlement involving 10 oil companies.
