WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Energy is predicting this year’s average diesel price will settle at $2.46 a gallon, the same as last month’s forecast.

The department’s forecast for 2010 is up 5 cents from last month, to $2.84, however.

In its monthly Short-Term Energy Outlook, the DOE’s Energy Information Administration reports that spot prices for crude oil have been volatile, falling to $59.62 in mid July and rising to $71.59 by August 3.

Analysts predict that North America will enjoy a few more months of relatively low diesel prices, but the cost at the pump should begin rising at the tail end of the year.

Part of the reason why diesel hasn’t shop up drastically during this peak driving season, is that inventory levels of middle distillates are uncharacteristically high for this time of year because of the lack of economic freight and manufacturing.