Despite a drop in the price of crude oil by $2.24 per barrel over the past week, the statewide averages of regular unleaded and diesel fuel went up. According to AAA Iowa, as of Wednesday, regular unleaded prices rose by $.03 to a statewide average of $3.20 per gallon. This is $.20 lower than the national average of $3.40 but $1.21 higher than this same time last year. Retail diesel prices were up $.04 to an average of $3.48. This is $.16 less than the national average of $3.64 and $1.32 higher than last year. Wholesale ethanol held steady again this week at $2.21 per gallon. Home heating fuel prices were all over the board. Propane remained steady with a statewide average of $2.01 per gallon while home heating oil jumped $.14 to $3.18. Natural gas prices dropped by $.30 to $5.65 per MMBtu.