By BJ Austin, KERA News & Wire Services
Dallas, TX – Gasoline prices across Texas are down two cents after five weeks of increases.
Dan Ronan, with Triple-A Texas, says the average price of a gallon of unleaded regular is $2.67. He says gasoline costs 15 to 20 cents more than a month ago, and a lot more than last year.
Ronan: We were at, in Texas, still below two dollars a gallon one year ago today; a dollar-ninety-eight. Now we're sitting at $2.67. And it's adding about ten dollars per tank full for every consumer every time they go to the gas station.
Gasoline in Dallas is an average $2.67 a gallon; 2.66 in Fort Worth.
Dallas Begins Watering Restrictions
Lawn-watering restrictions kick in today in the city of Dallas. From April first through October 31st sprinkler systems are off limits from 10am until 6pm.
It's part of the city's water conservation program. Fines for violating the time-of-day restrictions run from 250 to two thousand dollars.
Fort Worth's daytime sprinkler restrictions are in effect year-round.
Texas officials warn about invasive lake plant
Texas Gov. Rick Perry and state wildlife officials are warning about the dangers of a fast-growing lake weed they say is threatening the ecosystem in more than a dozen lakes.
Officials call Giant Salvinia, an unwelcome South American import, one of the most dangerous invasive species the state has ever faced. They say the floating, rootless fern can double its coverage area in less than a week and poses threats to power plant water intakes, the fishing industry and recreational tourism.
Perry joined wildlife officials at a news conference Thursday to launch a $280,000 public awareness campaign aimed at educating Texans about the plant, a native of Brazil that was first discovered in Texas in 1998. Authorities are urging Texans to clean off their fishing gear and boats to help prevent the spread of the plant from lake to lake.