Rose Rougeau Price Quotations

The price of gasoline at the wholesale level declined sharply last week and there continues to be downward pressure on gas in Texas. Motorists may be in for a few weeks of slightly lower prices. But toward the end of the month, it's likely that pump prices will resume an upward arc.

We're advising motorists not to top-off their tanks. With the price of gasoline escalating, motorists can conserve gas by making sure their vehicle is routinely maintained, consolidating trips, car pooling, using mass transit and for short trips try bicycling or walking.

These recent decreases at the pumps are more likely to be temporary. The U.S. concerns over Iran's nuclear ambitions and violence in Nigeria have kept the price of crude above $65 a barrel -- a level not seen since the hurricanes of 2005. If crude continues to stay at this level, motorists will continue to pay high prices at the pumps.

Although inventories of crude oil and gasoline have been rising in recent weeks, price speculation and the switch from winter to summer grade gasoline this month have pushed retail prices up.

This is the time of year when steep price increases are common, but this year, there is added uncertainty about whether there will be sufficient gasoline supplies later in the year. It may be several weeks before the picture of the nation's production becomes clear, but in the meantime, motorists may experience steadily rising pump prices.