Average retail gasoline prices in Maine have risen 3.8 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $4.01 per gallon yesterday. This compares with the national average that has increased 2.3 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.86 per gallon, according www.MaineGasPrices.com. 

Including the change in gas prices in Maine during the past week, prices yesterday were 31.4 cents per gallon higher than one year ago and are 19.3 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has increased 15.8 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 24.9 cents per gallon higher than one year ago. 

"The national average continues to hover near its highest ever September level," GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan said.

"As we push deeper into September, the more optimistic I am that these high prices will begin to come down slightly, but with the recently announced QE3, I'm a bit concerned that prices won't moderate as much as previously expected as the dollar weakens, leading me to believe 2012 will have featured the highest yearly average ever," DeHaan said.