AAA Texas: Weekend Gas Watch; Fuel Prices Hold Steady as Labor Day Approaches

    HOUSTON--Aug. 23, 2002--As we move closer to the end of the summer driving season, fuel prices in the Lone Star State have remained relatively stable compared to a week ago, 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 statewide average price for regular self-serve is holding steady at $1.32 - unchanged since last week. The Austin - San Marcos area has the least expensive gasoline at $1.265 a gallon, down seven-tenths of a cent. Houston is the only city that posted a slight increase, up one-tenth of a cent since a week ago. Once again, Dallas tops the list with the most expensive fuel in Texas at $1.336 a gallon, down five-tenths of a cent.
    "Earlier this week, crude oil rose to $30 a barrel - its highest closing price in more than a year," said Rose Rougeau, spokesperson for AAA Texas. "But, then prices dropped again despite continuing tensions in the Middle East. Right now, supplies of oil and gasoline are plentiful in the U.S. and that should keep prices at their current levels as we approach the Labor Day holiday."

	   Average prices as of 12:01 AM, Aug. 23, 2002:

                                    Change from
Area                  Regular        last week        Record Price
----                  -------       -----------      ---------------
Austin - San Marcos   $1.265        - 0.7 cent       $1.538 (5/15/01)
Corpus Christi        $1.274        - 0.7 cent       $1.505 (5/8/01)
Dallas                $1.336        - 0.5 cent       $1.666 (5/12/01)
Ft. Worth             $1.328        - 0.4 cent       $1.660 (5/22/01)
Houston               $1.320        + 0.1 cent       $1.639 (5/12/01)
San Antonio           $1.267        - 0.5 cent       $1.498 (5/9/01)

    AAA Texas, an affiliate of the American Automobile Association, has been serving Texans since 1902. Today, more than a million AAA Texas' members benefit by the organization's roadside assistance service, travel agency, financial products, 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.