AAA TEXAS: Weekend Gas Watch; Fuel Prices Turn Upward as the Christmas Holiday Draws Near

    HOUSTON--Dec. 20, 2002--Fuel prices in the Lone Star State appear to be on the upswing as we move closer to the Christmas holiday, according to the Weekend Gas Watch, compiled by AAA Texas. The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline at popular destinations for motoring trips.
    The Texas average for a gallon of regular self-serve fuel is currently $1.31 a gallon -- the same as last week. Once again, Corpus Christi has the least expensive fuel at $1.24 a gallon -- up a penny since last week. In Dallas, a gallon of fuel averages $1.32 -- up less than a cent. Houstonians are paying the same -- $1.32 a gallon -- no change since last week. Last year, at this time, Texans were paying an average of $1.03 for a gallon of gas -- nearly 30 cents less than today's average.
    "The prospects for higher gas prices are suddenly increasing as the holiday approaches," said Rose Rougeau, spokesperson for AAA Texas. "Labor unrest in Venezuela has not subsided as had been expected, and the United States appears to be poised for war with Iraq. The Pentagon has given preliminary approval to send as many as 50,000 troops to the Persian Gulf region -- a move that would allow President Bush to order an attack against Saddam Hussein by late January."

	   Average prices as of 12:01 a.m., Dec. 20, 2002:

Area                      Regular      Change         Record Price
----                      -------      ------         ------------
Austin - San Marcos       $1.271     +1.3 cents      $1.538 (5/15/01)
Corpus Christi            $1.237     +1.2 cents      $1.505 (5/8/01)
Dallas                    $1.324     +0.5 cent       $1.666 (5/12/01)
Ft. Worth                 $1.307     +0.7 cent       $1.660 (5/22/01)
Houston                   $1.317     no change       $1.639 (5/12/01)
San Antonio               $1.272     +1.3 cents      $1.498 (5/9/01)

    AAA Texas, an affiliate of AAA, has been serving Texans since 1902. Today, more than a million AAA Texas members benefit from the organization's roadside assistance service, travel agency, insurance products and services, automotive pricing, buying and financing, trip planning services and traffic safety programs. Information about these products and services is available on AAA Texas' Web site at www.aaa-texas.com.