Diesel Prices to Peak This Month, DOE Says

Retail diesel prices will peak this month before beginning a slow decline through the end of the year, the Energy Department said Tuesday.

Diesel pump prices will average $2.921 a gallon in September, up from August’s $2.869, DOE said in its monthly short-term energy outlook.

For the rest of the year, diesel will average $2.912 in October, $2.876 in November and $2.887 in December, DOE said.

Average gasoline prices for the 2007 summer driving season — April through September — are projected to be $2.93 per gallon, up 9 cents over last summer, DOE said.

The most recent weekly price survey, released Monday, showed diesel at $2.924 a gallon and gas at $2.818.