Attorney General: Road Salt Price Spikes Didn't Break Law
LANSING (AP) — The Michigan attorney general's office has found no evidence of price-fixing or other illegal conduct by road salt suppliers after drastic increases in the cost of the commodity used to tame icy roads.
The office on Friday announced the release of its investigation spurred by complaints from several local governments. The statewide average cost of road salt for the winter season was about $65 per ton — a 46 percent increase over the previous year — and many areas saw more dramatic jumps.
State officials say the spikes were caused by legitimate market conditions after last winter's harsh weather. Record snowfalls and frigid temperatures depleted supplies, leading to higher prices and limited bids.
The report recommends earlier bidding by the statewide purchasing program, which might generate more bids and lower prices.
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