The Governor's Energy Office cites rising economic optimism for the upward trend in fuel prices, along with the impending closure of a New Jersey refinery.

Heating oil prices in Maine rose by an average of two cents a gallon over the past week. That's according to the Governor's Energy Office's weekly survey, which found that current statewide average cash price for No. 2 heating oil now stands at $3.74 per gallon.

The GEO says cites rising economic optimism for the upward trend in fuel prices, along with the impending closure of a New Jersey refinery, which is scheduled to shut down at the end of February.

The survey found a wide variation in actual heating oil prices across the state, with the lowest price of $3.53 a gallon found in three regions of the state, and the highest price - $4.20 a gallon - found in western Maine.

Kerosene is currently selling for $4.14 a gallon, down a penny from last week, while propane, based on a yearly use of at least 900 gallons, is selling for $2.73 a gallon, up one cent.