Senator Charles Schumer is seeking an investigation behind possible price-gouging and collusion among road salt producers. “We’ve had a lot of snow this winter; they have to keep the road clean. Snow removal is something you have to do. It’s about safety,” said Schumer in Kingston on Monday, February 7. “In the past five years, it’s skyrocketed at an unprecedented pace.” In Ulster County road, a Mid Hudson News Service story on the announcement noted, salt prices have increased 40 percent in five years and 25 percent in the last two to three years. Investigations in other states have found evidence of price-gouging and collusion, said Schumer, so now he’s going to write the Federal Trade Commission and ask for a national investigation. If the FTC conducts an investigation and finds evidence of unfair business practices, Schumer said he wants the agency to crack down on offenders. Maybe he can go after fuel oil and propane dealers next, including their lock-in and add-on pricing?