In addition to displaying the daily average price for all major grades of retail gasoline, diesel and E-85 for the nation, all 50 states and more than 300 metro locations, the site now features [image-nocss] a weekly commentary on prices from AAA, an expanded graph showing price trends for oil, wholesale gasoline and retail gasoline and price comparisons for today, yesterday, one week ago and one year ago. A color-coded "heat" map has been added, illustrating average price differences among the states. New links to other fuel and travel-related information sources are available and the site continues to provide access to the only daily fuel price reporting in the Spanish language.
AAA first began reporting on fuel prices in the mid-1970s during the gasoline crisis of that era. The printed news releases that AAA clubs mailed to reporters were dubbed the AAA Fuel Gauge Report, and have continued in one form or another for more than 30 years.
AAA's long-time fuel price analyst and director of public relations, Geoff Sundstrom, said the association's Fuel Gauge Report has allowed AAA to shine a steady spotlight on the topics of fuel affordability, energy conservation and the need for a far-sighted national energy policy. "By publishing the average cost of fuel each day on the Internet throughout most of this decade, AAA has played a major role in stimulating the ongoing national debate on this very important topic," he said.
Last year the site was visited more than 30 million times, AAA said. Orlando, Fla.-based AAA provides more than 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services.
Separately, CHS Inc.'s Cenex retail gasoline brand has launched a refreshed website, www.cenex.com, which makes it easier for consumers and businesses to access Cenex energy products and services. The site covers the full range of Cenex products and services including refined fuels, lubricants, propane, convenience stores and equipment. Like the former Cenex site, the refreshed site features the Cenex Guy. Visitors can view Cenex Guy TV commercials, hear Cenex Guy radio spots and download desktop screen savers with Cenex Guy images.
Key changes to the site include:
Retail locator: Visitors can now get directions to all Cenex branded retail locations and access information about the amenities offered at each location. Cenex Credit Cards: Consumers and businesses and fleets can now apply for Cenex cards online, and Cenex cardholders can check their balances online. Cenex Gift Cards: Consumers now have the convenience of ordering order gift cards, as well as checking the balances on their gift cards, online. Inver Grove Heights, Minn.-based CHS is owned by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives, along with thousands of preferred stockholders. It supplies energy, crop nutrients, grain, livestock feed, food and food ingredients, along with business solutions including insurance, financial and risk management services. The company operates petroleum refineries/pipelines and manufactures, markets and distributes Cenex-brand refined fuels, lubricants, propane and renewable energy products.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.