Photo by Michael T. Ruhl

Despite having failed to get the necessary votes last year, Councilmember Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3) still hopes to pass a bill that would effectively dismantle a gas station monopoly operating in the District.

The City Paper reported yesterday that Cheh is pushing the measure again this month, likely sparking a second round of lobbying between gas station mogul Joe Mamo (who owns nearly half the city’s gas stations) and his opponents, including some independent gas station owners. Under Cheh’s bill, gas wholesalers like Mamo would not be able to own operate gas stations.

Of course, Mamo isn’t going down easy. Last year, nine different companies linked to Mamo’s Capital Petroleum Group each donated $1,000 to Councilmember Vincent Orange’s (D-At Large) re-election campaign; those same companies have given to Councilmembers Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) and Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4).