Following the lead of gasoline prices, the average price of heating oil is inching up in Maine, according to the lastest survey from the Governor’s Energy Office.
The survey found the average statewide cash price was $2.60 per gallon, up 4 cents from two weeks ago.
The average statewide price for kerosene also increased over the last two weeks, and is now $3.14 per gallon, up 2 cents.
Average propane prices also are up a couple of cents, to $2.68, for heating customers.
Compared with the survey two weeks ago, it seems heating oil prices have bottomed out, at least for now. But they remain much lower than last year at this time.
A year ago, heating oil averaged $3.88 per gallon; kerosene was $4.30; and propane was $3.51. Those prices generally were the highest of last year’s heating season, the energy office said.
The office noted that crude oil prices have jumped 12 to 14 percent over the last two weeks, and were in the $51 to $57 a barrel range, though te benchmark did drop below $50 a barrel Wednesday afternoon. While there’s disagreement among energy analysts as to whether crude prices will rise or fall in the near future, the office said, continued volatility is expected.
Average prices in the survey range from a low of $2.35 to a high of $2.99 a gallon.
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