Gas prices dropped slightly over the last week while retail diesel spiked noticeably, according to the latest report from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and AAA-Iowa. As of Wednesday, Aug. 30, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline was $3.60, a four-cent decrease from last week and nine cents higher than a year ago. The national average on Wednesday was down two cents to $3.83 per gallon. Retail diesel prices in Iowa rose 14 cents to a statewide average of $4.25 per gallon. A year ago, diesel prices in the state averaged $4.94 per gallon. The national average currently stands a $4.44 per gallon. Wholesale ethanol was unchanged from $2.16 per gallon. Natural gas prices at the Henry Hub reporting site jumped 21 cents to $2.74 per MMBtu. Retail heating oil and propane price reporting should resume next week.
