OKLAHOMA GASOLINE PRICES JUMP 20 CENTS OVER THE LAST FOUR WEEKS

NEWS from AAA Oklahoma, Feb. 22 – Retail pump prices across Oklahoma have risen an average of 20 cents per gallon since Jan. 25, 2008, according to AAA Oklahoma. The state’s average for self-serve regular gasoline now stands at $3.025 with prices slightly higher in Oklahoma City but up to a nickel lower in Tulsa.

“These gas prices are reflective of higher crude oil prices,” said Chuck Mai, spokesman for AAA Oklahoma. “However, there are no firm and fast economic reasons justifying what crude oil is doing on the futures market. Inventories are good and because of the softening economy, demand is down. This would be a time of declining pump prices if not for worried commodity traders on Wall Street who are concerned about worldwide oil supply disruptions.”

AAA’s Fuel Gauge Report (www.AAAFuelGaugeReport.com) shows the average for self-serve regular gasoline is now $3.115 per gallon today nationwide, compared with $2.98 as recently as late January.

Among Oklahoma neighbors, Missouri has the cheapest fuel at $2.945 per gallon, followed by Texas $3.026, Colorado $3.031, Arkansas $3.070, Kansas $3.090 and New Mexico $3.103.

There are only three states, besides Missouri, with gas price averages below $3.00 today: New Jersey at $2.936, Arizona $2.951 and Wyoming $2.963.