Diesel price projected to climb over next 2 years

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The average price of on-highway diesel fuel in the U.S. is expected to rise about 28 percent from 2009 through 2011, according to a government report.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projected that diesel will average $2.98 per gallon this year and $3.14 in 2011, up from $2.46 in 2009.

Still, the projected 2011 price of diesel would be well below the record-high average in 2008, which was $4.02.

On the gasoline side, the EIA expects regular-grade prices to average $2.84 per gallon in 2010 and $2.96 in 2011. Monthly gas prices increased from $1.79 in January 2009 to $2.61 in December.