While motor fuels remain relatively stable, and as we draw closer to harvest and colder weather, the cost of natural gas takes a hefty jump yet again and nears the $5.50 mark. Over the past week, natural gas prices increased another $.53 at the Henry Hub reporting site and are now at an average across the state of $5.41 per MMBtu. Propane prices actually fell $.17 and are at a statewide average of $1.69 per gallon and home heating oil dropped by a penny from last week for a statewide average of $2.66 per gallon. According to AAA Iowa, the price of regular unleaded gasoline held steady at $3, which is $.92 higher than a year ago and $.18 lower than the national average. Retail diesel went up a penny per gallon to $3.11, which is $.19 below the national average and $.90 higher than this same time last year. Wholesale ethanol prices also remained steady and are currently at $2.21 per gallon.
