Attorney General Bill McCollum releases statement regarding his office’s investigations into allegations of gasoline price gouging.

Hurricane Ike is blamed for sending crude oil and gasoline prices higher today. The massive storm has caused companies along the Texas coast to shut down refining and drilling operations.

A national survey shows gas prices have dropped 15 cents a gallon in the last two weeks.

Fuel costs for Jackson County Road and Bridge are expected to exceed $1.8 million in 2009. Last year the department worked on a fuel budget of $575,000. To soften the blow, county commissioners consider one innovative idea.