Diesel Jumps 7.4 Cents to $2.572

Diesel prices rose for the sixth straight week, ending with an average jump of 7.4 cents to $2.572 per gallon nationwide on June 15, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Crude oil has been more costly, too, for the past two months. On April 15, crude futures were selling on the New York Mercantile Exchange for $49.25 per barrel. Last Friday, crude oil was $72.04 on the NYMEX.

Energy costs this year have gone against the downward trend in prices of other goods. Investment in commodities rather than short supply seems to be driving the increase and the consequent pressure at the pump.

The highest prices this week were on the West Coast, where they changed least. Diesel went up 5.8 cents in California to $2.734 per gallon. The average for the coastal region was a gain of 5.2 cents to $2.655 per gallon.

Prices gained most on the East Coast, climbing 8.5 cents to $2.601 per gallon. The country’s lowest prices were in the Rocky Mountains, as diesel there increased 7.8 cents to $2.52 per gallon.

Contact Thomas L. Gallagher at tgallagher@joc.com.