AAA Hoosier - News & Safety - Gas Gauge Report

Current Avg.	$1.848	$1.962	$2.032	$2.420	$1.631	$2.147
Yesterday Avg.	$1.843	$1.957	$2.027	$2.416	$1.600	$2.106
Month Ago Avg.	$1.663	$1.766	$1.828	$2.491	$1.504	$1.979
Year Ago Avg.	$3.010	$3.196	$3.312	$3.394	$2.449	$3.223

*Prices are in US dollars per gallon
**The BTU-adjusted price of E-85 is the nationwide average price of E-85 adjusted to reflect the lower energy content as expressed in British Thermal Units - and hence miles per gallon - available in a gallon of E-85 as compared to the same volume of conventional gasoline. The BTU-adjusted price calculated by OPIS and AAA is not an actual retail average price paid by consumers. It is calculated and displayed as part of AAA's Fuel Gauge Report because according to the Energy Information Administration E-85 delivers approximately 25 percent fewer BTUs by volume than conventional gasoline. Because "flexible fuel" vehicles can operate on conventional fuel and E-85,the BTU-adjusted price of E-85 is essential to understanding the cost implications of each fuel choice for consumers.
Highest Recorded Price:

Regular Unl.	$4.114	7/17/2008
DSL.	$4.845	7/17/2008

Current Avg.	$1.932	$2.079	$2.137	$2.420
Yesterday Avg.	$1.942	$2.089	$2.148	$2.418
Month Ago Avg.	$1.614	$1.736	$1.785	$2.526
Year Ago Avg.	$2.942	$3.165	$3.254	$3.388

AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report
Current nationwide (www.fuelgaugereport.com), individual state (State-by-State Averages) and Indiana metropolitan (Indiana Metro Averages) gas price averages can always be found online at AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report. The report is based on data from Oil Price Information Service, the nation’s most comprehensive source of petroleum pricing information. AAA purchases the data and makes it available free on the Internet as a public service. Average daily prices for the nation, all 50 states and more than 250 localities are available for all grades of gasoline, making the site the most current and complete public source of fuel price information.

The Spanish language version of the AAA Fuel Gauge Report, Galga De Gasolina can be accessed at www.galgadegasolina.com.

Market Overview
Despite a continued drop-off in crude oil prices, nationwide gas prices have remained relatively stable over the last few days and, in some cases, have actually increased by a few cents.

NYMEX West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil for February delivery closed up $2.23 yesterday but was still at only $38.74 per barrel.

Tensions associated with the Gaza war are continuing to have an adverse affect on crude oil prices, although the impact appears to have lessened in recent days.

Frigid temperatures across much of the nation’s Midwest during the last two weeks has undoubtedly resulted in a slight increase in the demand for heating oil but overall, reports continue to indicate that America’s demand for petroleum is down.

Despite stubborn gasoline prices, today’s national average of $1.848 for self-serve regular is substantially less than the $3.010 Americans were paying at this time last year. In fact, only five states currently maintain averages above the $2 mark—Alaska ($2.504), Hawaii ($2.332), California ($2.083), Washington ($2.011) and Nevada ($2.007).

Wyoming currently boasts America’s lowest statewide gas price average ($1.485).

Following yesterday’s presidential inauguration of Barack Obama, it will be interesting to see how international markets and the price of crude oil respond today and throughout the next couple of weeks. Minor crude oil price adjustments will more than likely have little effect on nationwide gas prices at this point but a steady increase in those prices could potentially be a sign of positive economic developments.

AAA’s Fuel Cost Calculator
In order to help Americans establish travel budgets while making vacation plans, AAA and Oil Price Information Service have combined to offer an online tool that will help travelers estimate the cost of gasoline they will use during long-distance driving vacations. The site can be found at www.fuelcostcalculator.com.

Indiana’s Gas Gouging Hotline
The Indiana attorney general established a gas gouging hotline early in 2004 for people who feel that local gas stations are charging unfair prices. That telephone number is (866) 241-9753.