Scheme went on far too long

It's amazing it has gone on as long as it has.

Southwest Nebraska drivers who find themselves low on gasoline near Interstate 80 may have been lured into a couple of gasoline stations with those large, annoying flashing LED signs, advertising "low" gasoline prices.

If they're not careful, they wind up paying 30 cents or more than the flashing sign indicates. That's because only one or two pumps carry the low priced fuel -- usually ethanol blend -- advertised. And, we remember on one visit, that pump was out of service.

We also remember a former editor at the North Platte daily newspaper decrying the practice several years ago. Now, a North Platte weekly newspaper featured a cover story about Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning taking the dealers to task.

It seems to have worked; the owner of some of the stations -- in North Platte, Lexington and Ogallala -- says he's done with the scheme.

The other owner faces possible prosecution from Bruning, who said he could bring a lawsuit against the dealers for deceptive trade practices.

He's issued a "Civil Investigative Demand" to the two dealers with 19 detailed questions such as who buys the fuel, from where has it been purchased for the last three years, how much it cost, who set the price, how many customers have purchased what types of fuel, who has complained -- and on and on.

If that isn't enough to put the practice to an end, we don't know what could be.

The price of gasoline is a popular subject on local call-in radio shows, and while none involve pricing practices as blatant as those Bruning is confronting, many question pricing practices. In small towns, it would always be nice to see more competitive pricing among the various stations.

Yes, Bruning is a candidate for Senate, and probably has ulterior motives in taking a politically popular stance in a controversial issue.

But we need more public officials like him who are willing to stick up for the common consumer.