Presidential hopeful John Edwards wants the Justice Department to investigate a rash of recent mergers in the oil industry, and determine what impact those mergers may have had on high fuel prices.

The Associated Press reported that the North Carolina Democrat is charging that the big oil companies engage in “anti-competitive” actions by controlling fuel prices all the way from the wellhead to the pump.

Edwards also said he wants federal fuel economy standards for cars raised to 45 miles per gallon, and wants to require oil companies to offer biofuels at a minimum of a fourth of their stations.