Diesel Falls 0.4 Cent to $2.681; Decline Is First in Seven Weeks

Gas Rises 1.8 Cents in Seventh Straight Gain
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Following six straight weekly increases, the average national price of retail diesel fuel dipped 0.4 cent to $2.681 a gallon, the Department of Energy reported Monday.Gasoline, meanwhile, continued its upward trend, rising 1.8 cents to $2.577 a gallon, DOE said. Gas has climbed 41.2 cents in seven straight weekly increases.Diesel had risen 27.2 cents from Jan. 29 through last Monday, according to DOE figures, with jumps of 5.9 cents last week and 7.5 cents two weeks ago.Trucking’s main fuel is now an even dime higher at the pump than the same week last year.The price fell in three of five national regions, but gained 2.9 cents in the Rocky Mountains, to $2.765, and 0.2 cent on the West Coast, to $2.813.In California, which DOE breaks out separately but is included in the West Coast price calculation, the price fell 2.4 cents to $2.875, still the highest overall price nationwide.Each week, DOE surveys 300 diesel filling stations to compile a national snapshot average price.