HYSTERIA DOESN'T CHANGE FUNDAMENTALS:

Gas prices tumble: Major threats have failed to materialize so far; Storm veers away from refineries in Gulf of Mexico (CURTIS RUSH, 8/31/06, Toronto Star)

Gas prices continue to plummet, with some motorists paying less than 79 cents a litre — just in time for the last long weekend of the summer.

Motorists who were shelling out as much as $1.20 per self-serve litre earlier in August are now paying 33 per cent less — and the outlook is for prices to remain moderate.