Feinstein Demands Inquiry into California Gas Prices

The price at the pump has jumped and U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein is taking notice.

The former San Francisco mayor and senior member of California's delegation to the Senate has sent a formal request to federal regulators asking they examine "market schemes or other market distorting activities" that may have led to the price increase.

Federal Trade Commission chairman Jon Leibowitz received a letter from Feinstein, noting that gas prices have jumped since the Aug. 6 Chevron refinery fire, according to the San Jose Mercury News. "However, this dangerous incident has not resulted in a reduction of gasoline supply that would explain the recent rapid price increase," Feinstein wrote.

Gas prices in California have risen 30 cents per gallon to $4.21, "the highest gas prices in the continental United States," Feinstein wrote -- more that double the national average increase.