AAA Texas Survey Shows Slight Increase in Statewide Fuel Price; AAA Texas Monthly Fuel Gauge Report

    HOUSTON--Aug. 13, 2002--The average price of fuel in Texas increased slightly since last month, according to AAA Texas' Fuel Gauge Report.
    Motorists in Texas are paying an average of $1.30 for regular self-serve, up a penny since July, and three cents more than this time last year.
    The nationwide average price of fuel is $1.41 a gallon, a penny above last month's average price of $1.40 a gallon. Last year, the national average for regular self-serve was $1.39.
    "Motorists have experienced price stability throughout the summer," said Rose Rougeau, AAA Texas spokesperson. "As we move to the end of the summer driving season, motorists may see price decreases at the pumps."
    AAA's Fuel Gauge Report is based on data from the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) -- the nation's most comprehensive source of petroleum pricing information.
    AAA Texas, an affiliate of the American Automobile Association, has been serving Texans since 1902. AAA Texas offers more than a million members a full-service travel agency, auto-related and financial services, as well as public safety programs and legislative advocacy.

                  AAA Texas Monthly Fuel Gauge Report
           (Average price for a gallon of regular self-serve
                     in 17 selected Texas cities)

Metro            State   Aug. '02    July '02    Aug. '01    Jan. '02
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Abilene           TX       1.284       1.287       1.278       1.077
Amarillo          TX       1.302       1.308       1.267       1.075
Austin            TX       1.262       1.256       1.256       1.063
Beaumont          TX       1.291       1.272       1.259       1.074
Brownsville       TX       1.245       1.250       1.201       1.043
Corpus Christi    TX       1.292       1.252       1.212       1.076
Dallas            TX       1.339       1.341       1.343       1.072
El Paso           TX       1.346       1.328       1.236       1.095
Fort Worth        TX       1.329       1.329       1.330       1.069
Houston           TX       1.314       1.311       1.306       1.041
Laredo            TX       1.309       1.281       1.304       1.117
Longview          TX       1.322       1.332       1.274       1.091
Lubbock           TX       1.300       1.291       1.267       1.064
Midland           TX       1.337       1.291       1.293       1.085
Odessa            TX       1.232       1.262       1.240       1.050
San Antonio       TX       1.267       1.249       1.221       1.045
Waco              TX       1.257       1.266       1.258       1.058
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Average           TX       1.296       1.288       1.267       1.070


              (Aug. '02)   (Aug. '01)
               --------     --------
National         $1.41        $1.39     up 2 cents
Texas            $1.30        $1.27     up 3 cents