DES MOINES – The price of retail heating oil in Iowa rose $.12 this week, closing at $2.06.

Crude Oil Summary

The price of global crude oil fell this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $.88 per barrel over last week, and is currently priced at $52.16.

Brent crude oil was down $1.11 and is currently priced at $54.66.

One year ago WTI crude sold for $41.08 and Brent crude was at $43.02.

Motor Fuels

As of Tuesday, April 18th, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.36 across Iowa according to AAA.  This is up a penny from last week and $.26 higher than one year ago.  The national average on Tuesday was $2.41, a penny higher than last week’s price. 

Retail diesel fuel prices in Iowa were up $.03 with a statewide average of $2.50.   One year ago diesel prices averaged $2.09 in Iowa.   The current Iowa diesel average is $.04 lower than the national average of $2.54.

Wholesale ethanol prices were down $.05 from last week’s price, closing at $1.63. 

The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $1.62 for U87-E10, $1.82 for Unleaded 87 (clear), ULSD#2 is at $1.72, ULSD#1 is at $1.86, and E-70 is priced at $1.71 per gallon.

Heating Fuels

Propane prices were a penny lower than last month’s prices for a statewide average of $1.18 per gallon.  Home heating oil rose $.12 from last month’s figures, ending with a statewide average of $2.06.  Natural Gas prices are down $.02 at the Henry Hub reporting site and ended the week at $3.06/ MMbtu.

Continuing throughout the summer months, we will only report retail heating oil and propane prices in Iowa once a month.