Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood says increasing gas prices have prompted a flurry of calls to his office from concerned motorists.

Lines have been reported at some stations around the state and there are reports of increased prices at the pump.

Hood says most people want to know why oil prices are falling, yet gas prices are rising.

In a news release Friday, he said there are other considerations in determining price, such as the cost associated with refining oil and transporting gasoline.

Still, Hood said his office is reviewing reports of possible price gouging and is requiring merchants to justify any questionable increases.

Hood says while many people think the price of gas cannot be raised during a state of emergency, merchants are actually allowed to increase their prices if they have incurred additional costs, such as transporting fuel to their stations.