More than 50 gas stations in New Jersey and Pennsylvania are jacking up prices to more than $8 a gallon to protest what they say are unfair pricing practices by Lukoil North America.
Sal Risalvato of the New Jersey Gasoline, Convenience, Automotive Association says Wednesday's protest is aimed at getting Lukoil to respond to dealers' grievances.
He says Lukoil engages in various practices that force franchisees to pay higher prices for their fuel than their competitors.
The New York offices of Lukoil North America say a spokesman was not available for comment.
Lukoil is Russia's second-largest oil producer. The first Lukoil-branded service stations in the U.S. opened in 2003 and today the company has over 500 Lukoil-branded stations in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.
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