AUGUSTA — Maine energy officials say the statewide average price for heating has fallen to a 10-year low. Officials say a Sept. 21 survey found the statewide average for heating oil was $1.99 per gallon, down 9 cents from late August. The average kerosene price was $2.56 per gallon, 11 cents lower than late August. […]
heating
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, sj-web
Wood pellet industry strained by cold temps, ordering issues
A frigid winter, increased demand for wood pellets and customers who underestimated how much they would need contributed to a strain on manufacturers and suppliers, according to officials at the Maine Pellet Fuels Association. Mills across the state are working nonstop to produce pellets and get them to distributors, but some stores are running out […]
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More weatherization, lower oil prices means Mainers saving
Average home heating oil prices December, 2013 — $3.72 March, 2014 — $3.75 June, 2014 — $3.51 September, 2014 — $3.32 December, 2014 — $2.75 Source: Governor’s Energy Office For more information, go to www.maine.gov. JAY — Like a lot of Mainers, last year’s high fuel costs and cold winter motivated homeowner Dan Ryder to […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Wood burning restrictions could burden Maine
BOSTON (AP) — The commissioner of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection says proposed restrictions on burning wood are a concern for Mainers. Commissioner Patricia Aho says stricter emission requirements outlined in a draft rule by the Environmental Protection Administration could be prohibitively expensive in a state that relies on wood for heating. In a […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Heating assistance funds in high demand as Mainers struggle through a cold winter
HANCOCK — When asked how much time she spends thinking about staying warm, Heidi Halpin, 46, laughed. “Pretty much all day,” she said, seated in her living room next to her mother, Mary Jo Halpin, 66. The pair live together in Hancock. They both have diabetes and Heidi also has multiple sclerosis, so neither can […]
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LePage declares civil emergency to aid propane deliveries
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage issues a limited emergency proclamation on Friday to ensure that heating fuel delivery trucks can operate for extra hours in light of frigid temperatures and a propane shortage across Maine. The governor’s proclamation waives U.S. Department of Transportation rules and extends the hours of service for heating fuel transport and […]
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Survey: Propane prices surge in Maine
AUGUSTA (AP) — The Governor’s Energy Office says heating oil and kerosene prices are unchanged from two weeks ago but propane has risen 9 cents since late October. Officials say the statewide price for propane was $2.76, which is 3 cents higher than last week. Meanwhile, heating oil was $3.53 per gallon and kerosene was […]
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Maine department urges residents to be cautious to avoid home heating fuel spills
AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine officials are urging residents to be careful when filling their home heating oil tanks this fall to avoid spills. The department says home heating oil spills are the most common spill it has to respond to and can be prevented. It says the three most common causes of spills are internal […]
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Budget battle, shutdown delay Maine heating aid
PORTLAND (AP) — Federal heating aid to low-income Mainers has been delayed primarily because of the federal budget battle and government shutdown last month. A spokeswoman for MaineHousing, which oversees the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program in Maine, said the agency usually knows by October how much funding it will receive. By Friday, the […]
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More Maine homeowners warming up to propane as primary heating source
PORTLAND — As prices become more competitive, Maine homeowners are increasingly turning away from oil as their primary heating source and using propane instead. Ralph Twombly recently decided to replace the oil-burning furnace at his Cape Elizabeth home with one that uses propane. He expects his heating bills to go down only slightly this winter […]