Analysis
On February 6, 2006, the average residential heating oil price had risen over two cents from the previous week to $2.07 per gallon (see the table at the end of this report). The graph below shows the spread in prices from month to month and from this year compared to previous years. This week's average price was 51 cents (or 33 percent) higher than the price at this time last year.
Other states in the Midwest Region had higher prices ranging from $2.15 to $2.28 with the region averaging $2.24 per gallon. States near Nebraska, such as Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, had prices of $2.15, $2.22, and $2.27, respectively.
While wholesale prices had fallen nearly one cent per gallon this week and the rack-to-retail margin increased to 23 cents, Nebraska retail prices continue to be the lowest of the surveyed states in the region. (Nebraska does not have the lowest wholesale prices of the surveyed states in the region.)
For the week ending February 3, the Midwest distillate inventory level was in the normal range for this time of year at 7.3 million barrels.
Notes: The annual report for the 2004-2005 winter season is available. An archive houses annual reports from previous years.
Heating Season
The Nebraska Energy Office has participated in the State Heating Oil and Propane Program for five years. During the heating season (October to March), the staff contact companies each week who supply heating oil to Nebraska, collect Monday's retail price, and submit the data to the Energy Information Administration. The Energy Information Administration calculates the average price shown in the table below.
In the Midwest Region, Nebraska's average residential heating oil price was the lowest price each week during the last five heating seasons. The Energy Information Administration theorized that this was due to minimal transportation costs. Another reason would be the number of participating states. Since state participation in the program is voluntary, heating oil prices were not surveyed in each state in the Midwest Region. Kansas and Oklahoma might also have had low prices--possibly lower than Nebraska's because the two states are closer to heating oil sources.
Off Season
During the off season (April through September), the Nebraska Energy Office staff continue to contact the same suppliers who were contacted during the heating season. Staff contact suppliers once a month instead of once a week since the price of heating oil is usually not as volatile during the off season. The Nebraska Energy Office staff calculate the average price, shown in the table below, from the suppliers' retail prices on the first Monday of the month.
State Heating Oil and Propane Program
The Energy Information Administration, the independent statistical and analytical agency within the U.S. Department of Energy, conducts the State Heating Oil and Propane Program from October to March--the heating season--each year. The Energy Information Administration collects prices for the program each week from participating states and calculates a state average price, a regional average price, and a national average price which can be seen in the report Residential Heating Oil Prices by Region and State.
Midwest Region
For statistical purposes, the Energy Information Administration defines the Midwest region to include the states of Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
Price Explanation
The prices represent average residential home heating charge prices for home delivery of No. 2 heating oil, excluding taxes and cash discounts.