IRVING, TX--(Marketwire - September 12, 2008) - As Hurricane Ike moves closer to landfall along
the Texas Gulf Coast, gasoline prices in the affected areas have started
increasing, but so far, most stations are handling the situation in a
professional and responsible manner. The average price for regular in
Houston increased more than four cents overnight from $3.455 to $3.496. Gas
increased in Galveston/Texas City from $3.487 to $3.489. Motorists in
Corpus Christi are now paying $3.582 compared to $3.587 on Thursday.
The average price for a gallon statewide increased to $3.567 from $3.576.
"There have been reports of some stations trying to take advantage of
motorists during these difficult times and increase prices by more than 25
cents a gallon overnight. But we're finding these facilities are in the
minority. Also, the fuelgaugereport.com/AAA survey each day checks the
prices of more than 100,000 gas stations nationwide and more than 8000
thousand in Texas. So, even while there are some stations that have hiked
prices, the survey is so large, it explains why prices in the Houston
market have gone up only four cents and in the other coastal cities the
increase has been much less," says AAA Texas Corporation Communications and
Community Relations Manager Dan Ronan.
"There are two big issues AAA is watching closely: The supply of gasoline
and how well our refineries in south Texas, which produce nearly 25% of the
country's domestic oil production, come through the storm. Clearly there
is a sufficient supply of crude oil and prices on the various markets
continue to reflect that as the price of a barrel of oil is trading Friday
at below $102.00 a barrel, down from the all-time high of $147.17 on July
17th. However, there needs to be sufficient refining capability to make
that oil into gas and it may be several days and well into next week before
we know the condition of those refineries. We're just now on Friday, into
the second inning of a nine-inning game," said Ronan.
To help ease the supply concerns, AAA Texas encourages all Texas motorists
to conserve where possible. Combines errands when possible and drive
moderately.
AAA Texas is urging people who have been ordered by their local officials
to heed their warnings and take proper precautions to protect their lives
and property. Thursday, AAA Texas released to the media a list of items
evacuees should take with them as they prepare to move inland. AAA also
released information about what consumers should do if they feel gasoline
stations they've purchased fuel from are "price gouging." These press
releases can be found on our website at AAA.com.
Members of the Texas Media please note: Members of the AAA Texas Government
and Public Affairs team will be available all weekend to answer your
questions and assist the public in any way we can; whether it's evacuation
tips, gas prices or fuel availability in south Texas or along possible
evacuation routes. Sunday night, Dan Ronan will be traveling to Houston to
assist members of the media and the AAA team as we deal with developing
story. AAA Texas will make every attempt this weekend to regularly update
this press release and additional information can be obtained at
fuelgaugereport.com.
That website is updated every 24 hours with its nationwide gasoline survey.
Sept 12 Sept 11 Difference One yr Difference Record High
ago Date/Price
State 3.546 3.537 +0.009 2.685 +0.861 07/17/08 3.985
Amarillo 3.539 3.551 -0.012 2.918 +0.621 07/16/08 3.983
Austin-San
Marcos 3.608 3.604 +0.004 2.726 +0.882 07/17/08 3.975
Beaumont 3.632 3.633 -0.001 2.685 +0.947 07/16/08 4.001
Corpus
Christi 3.582 3.587 -0.005 2.656 +0.926 07/15/08 3.960
Dallas 3.482 3.476 +0.006 2.646 +0.836 07/16/08 3.983
El Paso 3.558 3.565 -0.007 2.885 +0.637 07/17/08 3.967
Ft. Worth 3.482 3.470 +0.012 2.645 +0.837 07/16/08 3.975
Galveston 3.489 3.487 +0.002 2.631 +0.858 07/14/08 3.968
Houston 3.496 3.455 +0.041 2.602 +0.894 07/17/08 3.960
San Antonio 3.553 3.555 -0.002 2.672 +0.881 07/16/08 3.957
Texarkana
(TX Only) 3.578 3.566 +0.012 2.710 +0.868 07/16/08 3.981
Contact Information: Contacts:
Dan Ronan - Statewide/Dallas
Ronan.dan@aaa-texas.com
danronan@sprint.blackberry.net
469 221 8217 office
469 583 7070 cell
Sarah Schimmer - Houston
Schimmer.sarah@aaa-texas.com
713-284-6552 office
281-797-7886 cell
Sonta Henderson - Austin
Henderson.sonta@aaa-texas.com
512 444 4757 ext. 224
512 899 8046