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| Auto and truck sales at two big U.S. automakers have hit the breaks. CNN's Andy Serwer reports. (October 4) |
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NEW YORK (CNN/Money) -
Gas prices were relatively unchanged Wednesday while the price of diesel climbed to its third-straight record as the flow of fuel remained disrupted following hurricanes Katrina and Rita, according to the daily survey conducted by AAA.
The average nationwide price for a gallon of diesel climbed a little more than two cents to $3.174 a gallon from the previous record-setting price of $3.152 reached Tuesday. Diesel prices also reached a record high Monday.
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported similar data Monday, noting that the average price truckers paid for diesel fuel had soared 34.6 cents over the last week to a record $3.14 a gallon.
This time last year, diesel prices were at $2.073 a gallon, according to AAA.
Regular unleaded gasoline took a break from its recent climb, the travel club reported, as the nationwide average price was unchanged from Tuesday's reading of $2.941 a gallon.
Gas prices peaked on Labor Day in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and have seesawed since, falling as low as $2.755 a gallon Sept. 22. Pump prices have trended upward since then.
A year ago, the average cost of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline was $1.931, AAA reported.
After Hurricane Rita slammed into the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast, many Texas refineries went off line, sparking fears of gasoline supply shortages.
As of Monday, a dozen refineries remain closed following the storms, according to Reuters, halting the flow of 1.3 million barrels of gasoline.
Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman said in a news report published Monday that consumers may see at least six months of high gasoline and heating fuel prices until energy production recovers from hurricane damage.
The Bush administration rolled out a conservation campaign that will encourage consumers and businesses to trim energy use as well as gasoline consumption.
Gasoline demand is down 3 percent compared with the same time last year, according to last week's EIA inventory report.
President Bush also asked Congress to craft a bill that would for the construction of new refineries and alleviate recent high gas prices.
Midgrade and premium gasoline were relatively unchanged across the country Wednesday. The nationwide average price at the pump for midgrade gasoline was $3.123 a gallon, while premium gasoline was priced at $3.237 a gallon, AAA reported.
AAA's report Wednesday revealed that Hawaii still has the most expensive gas in the country, with the average cost of regular unleaded at $3.286. Gas in Oklahoma was the cheapest, with regular unleaded at $2.781, on average.
-- from staff and wire reports
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Tell us your story: Have rising gas prices forced you to cut back spending? Have you suffered long lines when filling up? We'd like to hear your story for an upcoming feature. E-mail us at gasprices@cnn.com.
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Why is one car dealer in favor of a gas tax hike? Click here.
Click here for CNN/Money's special report 'Oil Crunch 2005'.
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