States join in challenge to oil merger

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SAN FRANCISCO -- Following the federal government's lead, the state governments of California, Oregon and Washington went to federal court Monday to try to stop BP Amoco's $30 billion acquisition of fellow oil giant Atlantic Richfield Co.

The three states filed a suit that mirrored the argument offered Friday in a suit by the Federal Trade Commission: The new company would dominate Alaska oil production and control West Coast supplies, with the power to raise prices.

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