February was unusually warm this year, but state energy director John Kerry says oil prices are being driven by economic concerns.

Heating oil prices in Maine continued to inch up, rising a penny a gallon from last week. That's according to the Governor's Office of Energy Independence and Security's week survey, which found that the statewide average cashe price for No. 2 heating oil now stands at $2.69 a gallon.

OEIS Director John Kerry says February was one of the warmest on record in Maine and spring is around the corner, but oil prices are being driven by economic concerns. "Uncertainty over the debt crisis abroad and the dollar's strength against major currencies continues to plague oil prices and markets," Kerry says in a statement.

Actual prices varied around the state, with the lowest prices -- $2.40 a gallon -- found in the southwest, and the highest -- $3.00 a gallon -- in the state's western region.

Kerosene is selling for an average statewide of $3.04 a gallon, down a penny from last week, while propane, based on a use of 600 gallons a year, is selling for $2.82 a gallon, a drop over the week of 12-cents a gallon.