IT'S GETTING VERY EXPENSIVE TO FILL YOUR GAS TANK AGAIN. AAA NEW MEXICO SAYS THE AVERAGE PRICE STATEWIDE IS UP 15 CENTS IN THE PAST WEEK…TO 3-57 A GALLON. AND IN ALBUQUERQUE, THE AVERAGE PRICE IS 3-50 A GALLON…UP 17 CENTS FROM A WEEK AGO.
SPOKESMAN DOUG SHUPE SAYS UNREST IN EGYPT IS A PRIMARY FACTOR, EVEN THOUGH THAT COUNTRY ISN'T A MAJOR OIL EXPORTER. HE'S SAYS EGYPT IS CLOSE TO THE STRATEGICALLY IMPORTANT SUEZ CANAL AND OTHER OIL PRODUCING NATIONS IN THE MIDDLE EAST. SHUPE SAYS PRICES ARE UP BECAUSE WE'RE ALSO DRIVING MORE FOR THE SUMMER VACATION SEASON…WHICH INCREASES DEMAND.
