AUGUSTA – Heating oil has dropped 9 cents per gallon in the latest survey in Maine.

The state energy office’s biweekly summer survey says heating oil now averages $4.62 a gallon. It’s the first drop since the statewide survey was restarted eight weeks ago in response to soaring prices at a time of the year when prices are usually stable.

Oil prices vary significantly among dealers with a high of $4.81 a gallon in eastern Maine and a low of $4.08 in southwestern Maine.