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Will Open Supply Lower Retail Gasoline Prices?

Author

Listed:
  • John M. Barron
  • Beck A. Taylor
  • John R. Umbeck

Abstract

Retail gasoline lessee‐dealers have lobbied for the right to purchase their gasoline supplies from sources other than the lessor‐refiners with whom they have contracted. This article examines a unique data set of gasoline prices in Los Angeles, along with corresponding market‐ and station‐level characteristics, to gain some insights into whether the proposed “open‐supply” legislation would likely lower the prices charged to consumers. Controlling for market‐ and station‐level characteristics, the authors find that stations with the most alternative sources of gasoline supplies have significantly higher retail prices, casting serious doubt on the claims made by open‐supply proponents. (JEL L0, L1, L4)

Suggested Citation

  • John M. Barron & Beck A. Taylor & John R. Umbeck, 2004. "Will Open Supply Lower Retail Gasoline Prices?," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 22(1), pages 63-77, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:coecpo:v:22:y:2004:i:1:p:63-77
    DOI: 10.1093/cep/byh006
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shepard, Andrea, 1991. "Price Discrimination and Retail Configuration," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 99(1), pages 30-53, February.
    2. Barron, John M & Taylor, Beck A & Umbeck, John R, 2000. "A Theory of Quality-Related Differences in Retail Margins: Why There Is a "Premium" on Premium Gasoline," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 38(4), pages 550-569, October.
    3. Hausman, Jerry, 2015. "Specification tests in econometrics," Applied Econometrics, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), vol. 38(2), pages 112-134.
    4. Blass, Asher A & Carlton, Dennis W, 2001. "The Choice of Organizational Form in Gasoline Retailing and the Cost of Laws That Limit That Choice," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 44(2), pages 511-524, October.
    5. Barron, John M & Umbeck, John R, 1984. "The Effects of Different Contractual Arrangements: The Case of Retail Gasoline Markets," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 27(2), pages 313-328, October.
    6. Severin Borenstein, 1991. "Selling Costs and Switching Costs: Explaining Retail Gasoline Margins," RAND Journal of Economics, The RAND Corporation, vol. 22(3), pages 354-369, Autumn.
    7. Vita, Michael G, 2000. "Regulatory Restrictions on Vertical Integration and Control: The Competitive Impact of Gasoline Divorcement Policies," Journal of Regulatory Economics, Springer, vol. 18(3), pages 217-233, November.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Cited by:

    1. Neukirch Arne & Wein Thomas, 2019. "Price Gouging at the Pump? The Lerner Index and the German Fuel Market," Review of Economics, De Gruyter, vol. 70(2), pages 157-192, August.
    2. Cooper, James C. & Froeb, Luke M. & O'Brien, Dan & Vita, Michael G., 2005. "Vertical antitrust policy as a problem of inference," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 23(7-8), pages 639-664, September.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • L0 - Industrial Organization - - General
    • L1 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance
    • L4 - Industrial Organization - - Antitrust Issues and Policies

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