AAA Texas: Weekend Gas Watch; Texans See Sharp Rise in Gasoline Prices

    HOUSTON--July 18, 2003--Gasoline prices in many major Texas cities rose sharply, 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 a gallon of regular self-serve is $1.45 a gallon -- a six cents jump in only a week. A year ago, Texans were paying $1.31 a gallon. The city that had the least expensive fuel last week saw the highest increase this week. Motorists in Corpus Christi are paying $1.43 a gallon -- that's an increase of more than eight cents within a week. Dallas still tops the list at $1.46 a gallon, five cents more than the week before, while San Antonio drivers are paying the least at $1.42 a gallon -- an increase of nearly seven cents.
    "These increases were caused by Hurricane Claudette which temporarily interrupted refining operations and shipping in the Texas Gulf region," said Rose Rougeau, spokesperson for AAA Texas. "The last time Texas motorists saw steep increases such as this was the week of February 14th; that rise was attributed to reduced shipments of oil from Venezuela and war fears with Iraq."

    Average prices as of 12:01 a.m., July 18, 2003:

Area                       Regular   Change           Record Price
----                       -------   ------           ------------
Austin-San Marcos          $1.414    + 5.4 cents      $1.580 (3/19/03)

Corpus Christi             $1.434    + 8.4 cents      $1.590 (2/20/03)

Dallas                     $1.458    + 5.2 cents      $1.666 (5/12/01)

Fort Worth                 $1.451    + 5.9 cents      $1.660 (5/22/01)

Houston                    $1.435    + 5.4 cents      $1.639 (5/12/01)

San Antonio                $1.421    + 6.5 cents      $1.582 (3/18/03)