Survey sees short drop in heating oil prices

AUGUSTA – The state energy office says the average price of home heating oil in Maine dropped by 4 cents a gallon within the past week, reflecting a decline in the cost of crude oil on world markets.

The average cash price statewide was $3.30 per gallon, which is $1.09 higher than at this time last year. The state survey found the lowest price of $2.98 in southwestern Maine and the highest price of $3.45 in the eastern and western parts of the state.

Kerosene prices dropped 5 cents to $3.69 a gallon and propane for domestic heating was a penny lower at $2.97.

Officials said heating oil inventories continue to increase in the Northeast but are still near a five-year low.