Fuel prices in Iowa were mostly unchanged on the week despite increases in the global oil market, according to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and AAA-Iowa. As of Wednesday, the average price of regular unleaded gasoline in the state fell two cents to $3.58 per gallon, 15 cents higher than a year ago. The national average was down three cents to $3.80. Retail diesel in Iowa was up one cent to $4.26 per gallon, 67 cents below prices from a year ago. The national average currently stands at $4.45 per gallon. These prices do not reflect recent jumps in the oil markets. The price of global crude oil rose $5.30 per barrel over the last week on the West Text Intermediate to $86.37, and Brent crude oil rose $4.26 per barrel to $89.52. Wholesale ethanol held steady at $2.16 per gallon, and natural gas prices at the Henry Hub reporting site fell 21 cents to $2.53 per MMBtu.
