11.   The technique is already used by other industries, including gasoline retailers and farmers who want to lock in prices.

12.   To help ease the process, some big gasoline retailers are experimenting with new gadgets, including radio transmissions, robot arms and scanner technology.

13.   The new company would be the second-biggest gasoline retailer in the United States, behind a joint venture that covers Shell and Texaco gasoline stations.

14.   Though new gasoline retailers would still be required to file an application with MITI, they are expected to be allowed to procure gasoline without revealing the supplier.