NEWS from AAA Oklahoma , April 17 2007 – With almost a month and half to go before the official start of the summer driving season – Friday, May 25 – AAA’s daily, online Fuel Gauge Report (http://www.aaafuelgaugereport.com/) is showing a nationwide average price for self-serve regular of $2.866 per gallon.

Expressing concern about escalating gasoline prices across the nation even as crude oil prices remain stuck in the lower $60 - $65 per barrel range, AAA said today it is looking for the U.S. refining industry to begin reporting an increase in domestic fuel inventories by the end of this month.

“It is important that American refineries and those who import gasoline begin to report more gas in storage by the end of April if motorists are to avoid a return of extremely expensive gasoline,” said Chuck Mai, spokesman for AAA Oklahoma.

AAA, the nation’s largest organization for motorists and travelers has consistently

pointed out that demand for gasoline is increasing each year as the population and economy grow, and that efforts since the start of the decade have been ineffective at achieving anything close to price stability in the United States.

Across Oklahoma, the average price of self-serve regular gasoline is currently $2.714 per gallon, up 80 cents since Jan. 26, 2007, according to AAA.

Today’s average gasoline prices are topping $2.90 per gallon in ten states and the District of Columbia. The nine states and their average prices are Ariz., $2.947; Calif., $3.338; Conn., $2.965; Fla., $2.910; Hawaii, $3.076; Ill., $2.932; Nev., $2.972; Ore., $3.067; and Wash., $3.105. The average price in the nation’s capital is $2.972 per gallon.

“Earlier this year, we were expecting prices to peak and then level off shy of a $3 per gallon national average. We remain optimistic that this will happen, but that outlook is becoming more of a long-shot with each passing week,” said Mai.

The national average prices for self-serve regular gas in AAA's mid-April survey for the last five years are: 2006, $ 2.687 ; 2005, $ 2.266; 2004, $1.780; 2003, $ 1.595; and 2002, $1.411.