(Des Moines) Iowans are seeing modest relief at the pump this week, as regular unleaded gasoline dipped 1 cent to an average of $2.75 per gallon, according to AAA. The statewide price is unchanged from a year ago, while the national average fell 3 cents to $3.06.
Diesel prices also edged downward. Retail diesel in Iowa averaged $3.67 per gallon, a 2-cent decrease from last week but still higher than the $3.31 average recorded a year ago. Iowa’s diesel price remains 12 cents below the national average of $3.79.
Crude oil prices also slipped. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) dropped $1.93 to $57.21 per barrel, while Brent crude fell $1.45 to $61.76. Both benchmarks are significantly cheaper than this time last year, when WTI was $69.41 and Brent was $74.27.
Heating fuel costs saw mixed movement. Natural gas prices at the Henry Hub dropped 10 cents to $4.45 per MMbtu. Propane averaged $1.55 per gallon statewide, and home heating oil stood at $3.25 per gallon.
