Gas Prices Up a Dime in the Past Month, AAA Reports

BELLEVUE, Wash., Feb. 12, 2004 -- AAA reports the average price of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline in Washington has increased 10 cents in the past month to $1.696 per gallon. In Idaho prices have increased seven cents in the past month to $1.650 per gallon. The national average for self- serve regular unleaded gasoline is $1.634 per gallon, seven cents higher than one month ago.

An announcement earlier this week by OPEC to cut production by 1 million barrels per day, coupled with springtime refinery changeovers to summer formulated gasoline blends could lead to atypical prices at the pump during the next several weeks.

              Sample Self-serve Regular Unleaded Fuel Prices

                                 Presidents' Day   Holidays  Presidents' Day
   City                               2004           2003         2003

   Washington
     Bellingham                       1.722          1.565        1.525
     Bremerton                        1.684          1.522        1.514
     Olympia                          1.685          1.526        1.463
     Seattle-Bellevue-Everett         1.707          1.532        1.593
     Spokane                          1.656          1.558        1.543
     Tacoma                           1.656          1.476        1.487
     Tri-Cities                       1.661          1.527        1.583
     Vancouver                        1.658          1.478        1.500
     Walla Walla                       1.73          1.690          N/A
     Wenatchee                         1.69            N/A        1.552
     Yakima                           1.678          1.569        1.503
   Idaho
     Coeur d'Alene                    1.642          1.622        1.597
     Lewiston                          1.59          1.490          N/A

AAA Washington/Inland provides over 830,000 members in Washington and northern Idaho a full range of products and benefits, including travel agencies, personal lines insurance agencies, a range of auto-related services, and member discounts on many consumer products and services. A not-for-profit organization, AAA also assists travelers through its highway and transportation safety and legislative advocacy programs. More information about AAA is available on the company's website at www.aaa.com.