Diesel soars

The national average retail price of diesel surged past $4 a gallon, increasing 10.2 cents to $4.078 a gallon during the week ended April 11, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration.
All regions reported prices above $4. California climbed 7.4 cents to $4.323, the nation’s highest. The West Coast, excluding California, gained 9.9 cents to $4.308. The Midwest increased 10.8 cents to $4.04, while the East Coast rose 10 cents to $4.082. The biggest increase was 11.2 cents to $4.204 in the Central Atlantic region.

The national average price is at its highest level since Sept. 1, 2008, when it was $4.121 and more than $1 a gallon higher than the same week last year.