In June 1977 the Main Office of Energy Resources, (OER), developed the Price Monitoring Survey, (PMS), to collect data to be analyzed and used as an indication of the average price of home heating fuels (Kerosene, No. 2) in the State and with less statistical validity at the county level. From a total population of approximately 500 fuel oil dealers a sample of 32 dealers was selected. The sample was selected from each of Maine's sixteen counties based on population centers with at least one sample point from each county. After sample selection was completed each of the 32 selected fuel oil dealers was telephoned and asked for the retail price of kerosene (number one), and the retail price of number two home heating fuel. In order to facilitate processing of survey results a computer program was developed. The program is interactive and is written in VSAPL. Each time the telephone survey is conducted input is verified and analysis is performed on the IBM-370 model 148 computer at the University of Maine at Orono. The OER believes that the program was a successful attempt to monitor price fluctuations in the home heating oil, retail market and intends to continue themore » program. It is felt that the program should be expanded to motor gasoline. Tables and graphs relating to the data collected are provided. These attachments depict price fluctuation over time and display the outputs of the program.« less