Fuel prices went up in the DR on Sunday, 27 August at 6 am. Fuel prices had been last increased in October 1999, when international market prices were nearing US$25 the barrel. They are now beyond the US$30 level and some market observers have said they could reach the US$40 level. New prices are: Premium Gasoline: RD$39.80 (up from RD$32.50) Regular Unleaded Gasoline: RD$34.90 (up from RD$27.90) Premium Diesel: RD$25.00 (up from RD$18.95) Regular Diesel: RD$22.40 (up from RD$16.95) Domestic Propane Gas: RD$13.00 (up from RD$8.00) Cylinder of 100 lbs. (22.5 gls.) RD$292.50 Cylinder 50 lbs. (11.25 gls) RD$146.25 Cylinder of 25 lbs. (5.63 gls) RD$73.20 Cylinder of 15 lbs. (3.80 gls) RD49.40 Industrial Propane Gas: RD$13.00 Avtur RD$20.00 Kerosene RD$20.00 Upon making the announcement, Minister of Industry and Commerce Angel Lockward said that there will not be an increase in the rates charged per kilowatt of electricity. Already, Dominicans pay the most expensive power rates in the Americas. Furthermore, the government said that prices will be revised every 15 days to reflect international market prices. The government also distributed coupons worth more than RD$840,420 to operators of 107 propane gas plants for distribution to low income consumers. Low income consumers would receive a government subsidy of RD$5 per gallon. Only consumers purchasing tanks of 25 lbs. or less will benefit from this direct subsidy. The government dispatched the military to supervise the subsidies.
