Diesel Edges 0.8 Cent Higher to $1.559

The national average price of diesel fuel rose 0.8 cent to $1.559, the U.S. Department of Energy reported Tuesday.

The average diesel price is now at its highest level since March 31 when the national average was $1.602 a gallon. The average is also 7.9 cents higher than it was for the same week in 2003.

The increase was the third straight for the national diesel average, DOE’s Energy Information Administration said.

The report showed the largest increases in the New England and Central Atlantic states, where arctic air has held sway over the region. Diesel prices rose 3.5 cents a gallon to $1.748 in New England and 2.4 cents a gallon to $1.539 in the Central Atlantic.

The West Coast was the only region that showed declines in diesel prices, falling 0.9 cent a gallon to $1.632. The regional decline was paced by a 0.8 cent decline in California, the region’s largest state.

Each week, DOE surveys 350 diesel-filling stations to compile a national snapshot price of diesel.