KUOW NEWS: "Washington's Senators Blame Speculators For Rising Gas Prices" (with audio)

AP Photo-Sen. Patty Murray speaks as Sen. Maria Cantwell looks on during a news conference Monday, April 18, 2011, in Seattle. Murray and Cantwell are blaming commodity speculators for pushing up the price of gasoline and the two called for federal regulators to crack down on speculation. The AAA auto club reports the average price of gas in Washington is $3.92, nine cents higher than the national average.

Deborah Wang(KUOW NEWS) with transcript and audio (03:40):

The AAA auto club reports the average price of a gallon of gasoline in the Seattle area is $3.92. That's up four cents in the past week and nine cents a gallon higher than the national average.

High gas prices have prompted the state's two US Senators to step up their calls for new regulations in the financial markets. They say speculators are to blame for the spike in prices. But that's the subject of some debate.