Heating oil prices fall for 9th straight week

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) -- Energy officials say heating oil prices in Maine have dropped for the ninth week in a row.

The Governor's Energy Office said Tuesday that its weekly price survey shows Mainers were paying an average of $3.50 a gallon Monday. That's down 5 cents from a week ago and 34 cents lower than the season's price peak in February.

Heating oil prices were highest in northern Maine and lowest in the southern part of the state.

Kerosene prices fell 3 cents in the past week to $3.96 a gallon, while propane prices edged up 2 cents to $2.75 a gallon.