AAA Texas' Weekend Gas Watch; Slight Drop in Fuel Prices

    HOUSTON--Aug. 2, 2002--Motorists in Texas saw slightly lower gas prices during the past week, 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.
    Despite decreases in some cities, the statewide average price for regular self-serve held steady at $1.33 a gallon. Corpus Christi motorists experienced the biggest decrease of 2.1 cents. Both Corpus Christi and San Antonio share the lowest average price for a gallon of gas at $1.278 a gallon. Dallas is the only major city that posted an increase. The price for a gallon of gas rose 0.2 cent to $1.348 -- which has the most expensive gas in the state.
    "If the United States continues to see strong imports of oil this summer, prices should decline throughout the fall," said Rose Rougeau, spokesperson for AAA Texas. "Sharp price drops however, while benefiting consumers, could hamper the ability of refiners to develop new facilities and technology."

	   Average prices as of 12:01 a.m., Aug. 2, 2002:

                                    Change from
Area                   Regular      last week        Record Price
-----                 --------     ------------     ---------------
Austin - San Marcos    $1.281        -0.5 cent      $1.538 (5/15/01)
Corpus Christi         $1.278        -2.1 cents     $1.505 (5/8/01)
Dallas                 $1.348        +0.2 cent      $1.666 (5/12/01)
Ft. Worth              $1.339        no change      $1.660 (5/22/01)
Houston                $1.326        -0.4 cent      $1.639 (5/12/01)
San Antonio            $1.278        -0.4 cent      $1.498 (5/9/01)

    AAA Texas, an affiliate of the American Automobile Association, has been serving Texans since 1902. Today, more than a million AAA Texas' members benefit by the organization's roadside assistance service, travel agency, financial products, automotive pricing, buying and financing, trip planning services, and traffic safety programs. Information about these products and services is available on AAA Texas' Web site at www.aaa-texas.com.