Sudden Spikes in Gas Prices a Temporary Anomaly, Says AAA-CMC

    AURORA, Ill., Sep. 12 According to the AAA-Chicago Motor
Club, the nationwide average price of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline was
$1.53 per gallon at the onset of terrorist attacks on the New York World Trade
Center and the United States Pentagon building, Tuesday, Sept. 11.

    Immediate reaction to the attacks included the price of crude oil climbing
above $30 per barrel in overseas trading, the temporary shutdown of various
pipeline and gasoline distribution complexes in the United States and the
suspension of commodities trading on the New York futures market. In addition,
there were numerous reports of surging gasoline prices in many areas of the
Midwest.

    "Although there were indications that major oil companies were urging
local gasoline distributors and station owners to exercise price restraint,
markets in the Midwest were seemingly exempt from sudden price spikes," said
Mark Bruno, spokesman for the AAA-Chicago Motor Club.

    In particular, markets in Indiana, Missouri and Kansas were reporting
retail gasoline prices for regular unleaded gasoline surpassing $4 per gallon
a few hours after the terrorist attacks. In downstate Peoria, Ill., some
service stations also were selling gasoline at $4 per gallon.

    "We expect these high gas prices to be a temporary anomaly," said Bruno.
"The marketplace panicked and raised gasoline prices on speculation of supply
disruptions and the possible threat of increased conflict in the Middle East."

    According to AAA-CMC, gas prices in Illinois remain relatively stable,
specifically in the Chicagoland area where the average price of regular
unleaded gasoline is $1.86. The average price of regular unleaded gasoline in
Illinois also remains stable at $1.77.