Although gasoline prices have slackened in recent months, the price of diesel remains high, costing $5.35 on average compared to $3.64 a year ago. Diesel’s high costs are propping up the inflated costs of many goods and services. It is used to fuel trucks and barges that move products, tractors that produce food, and construction equipment that builds home. Diesel is scarce worldwide, and oil analysts say there are insufficient refineries to meet the demand.
