DES MOINES, Iowa—The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship released it’s weekly report on fuel prices and the report shows an increase in the cost of natural gas.  The price of natural gas rose $.18 this week, closing at $2.44/MMbtu.

Crude Oil Summary

• The price of global crude oil rose this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $.23 per barrel over last week, currently priced at $56.16.
• Brent crude oil rose $.02, and it is currently priced at $60.61.
• One year ago, WTI crude sold for $69.87 and Brent crude was at $77.51.

Motor Fuels

• As of Tuesday, September 3, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.41 across Iowa according to AAA.
  • This is $.02 lower than last week and $.30 lower than one year ago.
  • The national average on Tuesday was $2.57, $.01 lower than last week’s price.
• Retail diesel prices in Iowa held steady at last week’s price with a statewide average of $2.78.
  • One year ago, diesel prices averaged $3.10 in Iowa.
  • The current Iowa diesel price is $.15 less than the national average of $2.93.
• Wholesale ethanol prices fell $.01 from last week’s price, currently at $1.32.
• The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $1.61 for U87-E10, $1.77 for Unleaded 87 (clear), ULSD#2 is at $1.84, ULSD#1 is at $2.13, and E-70 is priced at $1.50 per gallon.

Heating Fuels

• Natural Gas prices rose $.18 at the Henry Hub reporting site and currently priced at $2.44/MMbtu.
• Continuing throughout the summer months, we will only report retail-heating oil and propane prices in Iowa once a month.

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

(contributed press release, IDALS)