DES MOINES – The price for natural gas rose by $.24 this week, closing at $3.95 per MMbtu.

Crude Oil Summary

The price of global crude oil fell this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $.38 per barrel over last week, closing at $92.16.

Brent crude oil rose in price this week by $.42 per barrel, currently at $108.80.

One year ago WTI crude sold for $105.61 and Brent crude was at $105.68.

Motor Fuels

As of Tuesday, March 19th, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $3.63 across Iowa according to AAA.  This is down $.03 from last week and down $.16 from one year ago.  The national average on Tuesday was $3.70, down a penny from last week’s price. 

Retail diesel fuel prices in Iowa were down $.04 on the Tuesday report with a statewide average of $3.94.   One year ago diesel prices averaged $3.98 in Iowa.   The current Iowa diesel average is $.11 per gallon lower than the national average of $4.05.

Wholesale ethanol prices rose $.08 this week, closing at $2.61. The price of Mid-Grade Blend in Iowa (10% ethanol) closed at $3.54 per gallon, down $.04 from last week’s price and down $.09 from one year ago.

Heating Fuels

Propane prices held steady with a statewide average of $1.40 per gallon.  Home heating oil fell $.04 from last week’s figures, ending with a statewide average of $3.53 per gallon. Natural Gas prices in Iowa were up $.24 from last week’s report, ending the week at $3.95 / MMbtu. 

Starting in April and going through September, we will only be publishing a monthly report on home heating oil and propane costs.

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