The cost of motor fuels dropped slightly again over the past week while two of three home heating fuels saw price increased. According to AAA Iowa, the average cost of regular unleaded gasoline and retail diesel both dropped $.02 over the previous week. Unleaded is now at $3.05 in Iowa, but is still $.97 higher than a year ago and $.27 lower than the national average of $3.32. Retail diesel is averaging $3.34 per gallon, $.25 less than the national average of $3.59. Last year diesel was at $2.35 in Iowa. Wholesale ethanol held steady at $2.14. Propane prices also held steady at a statewide average of $1.89 per gallon while home heating oil and natural gas rose by $.09 and $.03 respectively. Home heating oil is now averaging $2.81 per gallon and natural gas $3.89 per MMBtu.
