By Doug Fletcher,Staff Writer

As of Sept. 28, 2005

Heating oil Statewide Central Western Last year

Average $2.49 $2.45 $2.48 $1.79

High $2.58 $2.52 $2.50 n.a.

Low $2.21 $2.21 $2.40 n.a.

Kerosene $2.81 $2.80 $2.78 $1.95

Propane $2.18 $1.78

Source: Maine Office of Energy Independence and Security

Heating oil price drops by a nickel

AUGUSTA – Heating oil prices dropped a nickel in the past two weeks, but are still 79 cents higher than this time last year.

The Office of Energy Independence and Security found the average price for No. 2 – the fuel that heats nearly 80 percent of Maine’s homes – was $2.49 per gallon on Wednesday.

The state conducts weekly surveys of heating fuels during the season that runs from October through March.

The highest price for the oil was $2.58 per gallon, a dealer’s charge found in eastern Maine. The low was $2.21, a price being charged in central Maine.

A statement issued by the office noted that No. 2 averaged $2.54 on Sept. 12, the date of the most recent survey. The $2.49 average was up 37 cents since last year’s heating season concluded at the end of March.

Kerosene remains more costly than heating oil, averaging $2.81 per gallon. That’s down 2 cents from Sept. 12 but 44 cents higher than last March’s price and 86 cents more than the commodity cost last year at this time.

Propane was averaging $2.18 per gallon, an increase of a penny since Sept. 12, 11 cents since last March and 40 cents more than the fuel cost last October.

The propane price is for gas purchased in bulk for domestic heating applications.

The Office of Energy Independence and Security is urging people to conserve energy. In its release Wednesday it said it “strongly encourages Maine homeowners to use the next two months to button up their homes and stop any cold air leaks.”

The office lists residential conservation measures, including costs and paybacks, on a state Web site, www.maineenergyinfo.com.