AUGUSTA (AP) – The state energy office says the average price of heating oil in Maine jumped 16 cents a gallon in the past week.

The average cash price of $3.61 is $1.22 higher than at this time last year.

Actual dealer prices ranged from a low of $3.29 to a high of $3.80, with both extremes found in southwestern Maine.

Kerosene prices rose 14 cents to $4 a gallon, while propane for domestic heating dropped by 5 cents to $3.

The Office of Energy Independence and Security said the higher oil prices reflect the soaring cost of crude oil. Officials also noted that the continued drop in the dollar and a decrease in the nation’s oil inventories are contributing to the price run-up.

AP-ES-03-10-08 1525EDT