VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The price you paid at the pump spiked to $1.50 per litre in May and October, when the oil industry claimed refineries along the US west coast were closed.

A report suggests some of those refineries were actually open.

A gas shortage was blamed on fires at refineries in Washington State and in California.

“In three cases in the Bay Area, we found discrepancies; refineries had announced that major pieces of equipment were down for repairs. But at the same time, major pieces of equipment were apparently issuing smoke,” says Robert McCullough with McCullough Research, the energy consultant behind the report.

“In reviewing the statistical data available from the California Energy Commission, we discovered that inventories of gasoline on the US side of the border had increased over both periods.”

The Western States Petroleum Association tells Seattle’s KOMO News those emissions may not have come from gas production, something McCullough doubts. “That’s an interesting theory. I’m afraid his physics may require some rehabilitation.”

Federal NDP Natural Resources Critic Peter Julian says this could be a sign that there is manipulation in the market.

“Petroleum companies are not playing fair with consumers. I think governments have to intervene when the markets aren’t working for consumers. What we have to do is make sure that government is protecting the public.”

“Millions of dollars are taken out of consumers’ pockets. So, government has a role to say ‘You can’t jack up these prices without legitimate reasons,’” he adds.

A Washington State senator is calling for an investigation.