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U.S. retail diesel has sold at a premium over gasoline throughout 2010, and petroleum market watchers said global competition for the trucking industry’s main fuel likely means that will not change any time soon.

U.S. retail fuel prices jumped last week, reversing declines over the past two weeks, as the average cost of a gallon of diesel rose 3.5 cents to reach $3.197, the U.S. Department of Energy reported.

Oil declined Wednesday a day after topping $90 a barrel, following a Department of Energy report that showed higher gasoline and diesel inventories, Bloomberg reported.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last week finalized its 2011 national renewable fuel standard, calling for the production of 800 million gallons of biodiesel, up from 650 million gallons in 2010.

American Trucking Associations last week asked the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to facilitate the use of consolidation bins in transporting small packages of hazmat materials.

In a slow retreat from the two-year high it reached in November, the U.S. retail diesel price average slipped again last week, falling 0.9 cent to $3.162 a gallon, the U.S. Department of Energy reported after its weekly survey of filling stations.

Oil rose over $85 a barrel Monday, its highest level in two weeks, Bloomberg reported.