CENTERVILLE -- Centerville resident and Utah Commerce Department director Francine Giani is leading an investigation into the high prices remaining at the gas pumps in Utah. After watching most of the country enjoy major dips in the cost of gasoline, Governor Jon Huntsman asked Giani to lead an investigation into the reasons why Utah is lagging in the decrease of gas prices. "Governor Huntsman is very concerned about how much we are paying for gas in Utah, based on countless phone calls and conversations he has been having with people from the state," Giani said.

"So he requested that I take up this investigation to find out if we are being gouged at the pumps."

While the investigation is in its infancy, Giani believes this is extremely important to all Utahns.

"We need answers, and that's what we are looking for."

Some of the answers have come from Lee Peacock, president of the Utah Petroleum Association and John Hill, director of Utah Petroleum Marketers and Retailers.

Peacock and Hill are both asking for consumers to be patient as the gas prices in Utah do creep slowly downward.

"Prices are coming down, but they are coming down slowly," Hill said.

"For a variety of reasons when prices go up we in Utah are often slow to increase, but when prices go down we are then slow in that direction as well."

"Prices are coming down and will continue to do so."

Peacock agrees and points to evidence concerning the slow increase Utahns enjoyed during the start of the peaking gas prices.

Peacock noted the Wholesale of Regular Gas chart for the Rocky Mountain region, which includes Salt Lake City, Denver, Las Vegas and Pasco, Wash. as evidence of the bell curve.

Peacock noted that November and December of 2005 and January 2006 Utah was 15 cents below the regional average.

Even as recently as March, April and May of 2006, Utah remained 10-15 cents less than the regional average.

Peacock also notes that over the past 12 months Utah has averaged $1.97 per gallon, while Las Vegas has averaged $2.40, Denver $2.01 and Pasco, Wash. $2.05.

"I know it appears like we are being left behind on the decrease at the pumps, but for whatever reason Utah is always the slowest in the region," Peacock said.

"But looking at the averages should show consumers that over the past 12 months Utah has been still the least expensive place to purchase gas in the region."

While the numbers may give consumers some explanation, Giani is not deterred from her investigation.

"We are very early in this investigation and we will continue to do our work for the people of Utah."

"Hopefully as we move forward the prices will come down faster."

"That is what we all really want."