DES MOINES, Iowa—This week the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship released the weekly fuel report which shows increasing prices. The price of Natural Gas rose 19 cents this week, currently at $2.65/MMbtu.

Crude Oil Summary

• The price of global crude oil rose this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $1.62 per barrel over last week, currently priced at $47.29.
• Brent crude oil rose $1.67 and currently priced at $50.56.
• One year ago, WTI crude sold for $60.21 and Brent crude was at $68.04.

Motor Fuels

• As of Wednesday, December 16, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.10 across Iowa according to AAA.
  • Prices rose $.07 from last week’s price and $.23 lower than one year ago.
  • The national average on Wednesday was $2.19, up $.03 from last week’s price.
• Retail diesel prices in Iowa rose $.06 this week with a statewide average of $2.35.
  • One year ago, diesel prices averaged $2.84 in Iowa.
  • The current Iowa diesel price is $.14 less than the national average of $2.49.
• Wholesale ethanol fell $.01, currently at $1.31.
• The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $1.33 for U87-E10, $1.46 for Unleaded 87 (clear), ULSD#2 is at $1.61, ULSD#1 is at $1.74, and E-70 priced at $1.37 per gallon.

Heating Fuels

• Propane prices were steady with a statewide average of $1.12 per gallon.
• Home heating oil was up $.05 from last week, ending with a statewide average of $2.03 per gallon.
• Natural Gas prices rose $.19 at the Henry Hub reporting site and currently priced at $2.65/MMbtu.

Tips for saving energy on the road or at home are available at energy.gov and fueleconomy.gov.

(contributed press release)