Groups Charge That Hot Diesel and Gasoline Motor Fuel Add Up to Less Energy and Big Consumer Fraud

         Audio News Conference Rescheduled for Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006

      Big Oil Overcharges Consumers for Overheated Fuel and Pockets
                         Taxes Paid by Consumers

  What:   Public Citizen and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers
          Association (OOIDA) are announcing their support for truck drivers
          and individuals who are filing a complaint against Alon USA, Inc.,
          Ambest, Inc., Chevron USA, Inc., Circle K Corporation, Citgo
          Petroleum Corporation, ConocoPhillips, Flying J. Inc., Petro
          Stopping Centers, Pilot Travel Centers LLC, 7-Eleven Corporation,
          Shell Oil Products Company, Tesoro Refining and Marketing Company,
          The Kroger Company, TravelCenters of America, Inc., Valero
          Marketing and Supply Company and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

          These groups will hold an audio news conference on the need for
          the courts and Congress to protect U.S. consumers against the
          industry-wide practice of hot fuel overcharges.

  When:   Thursday, December 14, 2006
          12:00 PM Noon EST

  Where:  Please register to participate in the call by sending an e-mail to
          lindabparis@yahoo.com, joy@cambridgestrategicpartners.org, or
          rpleatman@citizen.org.

  Who:    Joan Claybrook, president, Public Citizen
          John Siebert, project manager, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers
           Association Foundation (OOIDA)
          Mark and Becky Rushing, owner-operator truck drivers

  Why:    As outside temperatures rise, liquid motor fuel expands. But U.S.
          gas stations do not adjust their measurements at the pump to take
          into account the change of temperature. Consequently, consumers
          receive less energy when they purchase gas heated above the 60
          degree standard. That means consumers pay more for the same energy
          when the outside temperature is higher because they get less
          energy per gallon purchased. By one account, consumers who buy hot
          fuel in the U.S. lose more than 2 billion dollars each year. Their
          loss is the oil industry's gain.

          In Canada, the industry successfully lobbied for temperature
          correction equipment for pumps that dispense gasoline and diesel
          fuel so it would not lose money on cold fuel. The U.S. armed
          services also receive temperature-adjusted fuel. Fuel is adjusted
          for temperature all along the distribution line except at the end
          point, when it is delivered to individual consumers.

PRNewswire -- Dec. 14