Phoenix, Ariz., April 22, 2009. While motorists across the nation are encouraged to think “green” in honor of Earth Day, one thing they are continuing to spend less green on is filling their tank, as the price of fuel continues to remain stable. Statewide, motorists are paying an average of $1.914 for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline, a decrease of less than one-half cent from last week. East Valley drivers are continuing to pay the state’s lowest fuel, with an average of $1.797 per gallon. Flagstaff drivers continue to pay the state’s highest price with an average of $2.144 per gallon. The nationwide average remained fairly steady this week, increasing by one penny to $2.062.

This week, oil inventories continued to rise as they have for much of 2009, despite the slowing of  OPEC and domestic  oil production, while demand continues to remain suppressed by the recession. In fact, according to the Department of Energy, the total average daily fuel demand for early spring was down 5.2 percent when compared to last year, which can be almost entirely attributed to the current economy.  

“Despite the fact that motorists are spending significantly less per gallon to fill their tanks compared to last year, it is important to remember that pump prices have fallen, in large part, as a result of the economy,” said Linda Gorman, public affairs director for AAA Arizona. “While a drop in demand and crude prices has made pump prices more palatable for motorists, these factors have not resolved our energy issues. Rather, the fact that prices have fallen on these factors alone only points to the continued need for a comprehensive energy solution, which should include cooperation from our leaders, auto manufacturers and motorists.”

While the statewide fuel price is $1.476 less per gallon compared to this time last year, AAA Arizona continues to encourage motorists to practice fuel conservation habits. In honor of Earth Day, the auto club would like to offer the following tips to consumers:

• Carpool, telecommute, ride share or use public transportation when possible. By using an alternative mode of transportation just one day a week, you can curb your fuel consumption by as much as 20 percent.

• Budget fuel costs in advance. While planning upcoming summer travels, visit AAA’s free Fuel Cost Calculator (www.fuelcostcalculator.com) to get a better idea of your estimated roundtrip fuel costs using the make, model and year of your vehicle.                                                                                                                         
• Keep up on your vehicle maintenance. Simple measures such as maintaining proper oil changes and keeping tires properly inflated can each increase gas mileage by at least 2 percent.

• Slow down!  Driving faster may get you where you want to go in less time, but it also means more trips to the pump. In fact, driving 75 mph instead of 65 mph will lower your fuel economy by approximately 10 percent.

The cheapest gasoline in the lower 48 states can be found in Missouri, where unleaded regular is $1.908 per gallon. California motorists are continuing to pay the most for fuel in the country with an average of $2.347 per gallon.

Motorists can visit www.AAAAZ.com/news/fuelnews.htm for fuel price information and gas saving tips or go to www.AAA.com/fuelfinder to locate the station with the cheapest gas in their neighborhood.

*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.

AAA Arizona’s Weekly Fuel Gauge includes data from gasoline stations in every Arizona community. However, only major metropolitan areas are shown in the table above.  Local prices in some communities might be higher or lower than the averages shown here.

###

NOTE: AAA Fuel Gauge data may be used on a daily basis by news media Web sites, but should include attribution to AAA.