Gasoline Up About a Penny Since Tuesday

The average U.S. retail price of gasoline has risen less than a penny since the terrorist assaults against the New York World Trade Center and the Pentagon, AAA said.

The U.S. average for self-serve gasoline rose to $1.541 a gallon Wednesday from $1.533 before the attacks, AAA said. In California, the average increased 1.3 cents to $1.723 a gallon, AAA said.

Price gouging and lines at the pumps materialized at only a few stations across the nation, the Orlando, Fla.-based group said.

“Overall, the U.S. energy industry and motorists responded in a responsible and patriotic manner to the immediate crisis,” said spokeswoman Susan Pikrallidas.