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NEW YORK (CNN/Money) -
Gas prices retreated a touch lower Friday while diesel closed the week by setting another record at the pump as many Gulf Coast refineries still remain closed and demand for gasoline slowed.
The average nationwide price for a gallon of diesel climbed more than a cent to $3.197 a gallon, according to the travel club AAA, shattering the previous record setting price of $3.182 reached Thursday.
Diesel has set a new record every day this week.
This time last year, diesel prices were at $2.085 a gallon, according to AAA.
Regular unleaded gasoline edged lower, the travel club reported, as the nationwide average price moved to $2.932 a gallon from Thursday's reading of $2.938 a gallon.
Gas prices peaked on Labor Day in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and have fluctuated since, falling as low as $2.755 a gallon Sept. 22.
A year ago, the average cost of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline was $1.947, AAA reported.
After Hurricane Rita slammed into the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast, many Texas refineries went off line, sparking fears of gasoline shortages.
As of Thursday, 10 refineries accounting for 14 percent of U.S. capacity remained closed due to hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Reuters reported, and 80 percent of offshore Gulf of Mexico production was still shut.
Gasoline demand over the last four weeks has fallen by 2.6 percent below the same time last year however, averaging nearly 8.8 million barrels per day, the EIA reported Wednesday.
The Bush administration announced a conservation campaign earlier this week that would encourage reductions in gasoline consumption and other fuels .
President Bush has also urged Congress to draft a bill that would allow for the construction of new refineries and ultimately alleviate recent high gas prices.
Midgrade and premium gasoline inched lower Friday. The nationwide average price for midgrade gasoline was $3.113 a gallon, down from $3.119 Thursday. Premium gas prices fell to $3.227 from $3.233 a gallon on Thursday, AAA reported.
AAA's "Daily Fuel Gauge Report" also revealed that Hawaii still has the most expensive gas in the country, with the average cost of regular unleaded at $3.432. Gas in Oklahoma was the cheapest, with regular unleaded at $2.768, on average.
-- from staff and wire reports
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