Maine’s heating oil prices high despite mild weather

Maine experienced a mild winter and an unseasonably warm early spring, but that hasn’t translated into a big drop in heating oil costs.

The state said Monday that the current statewide average is $3.77 per gallon, a drop of only 8 cents since the last winter survey on March 26.

Ken Fletcher of the governor’s energy office said Mainers should not wait until next winter to explore alternative heating options. He says a cold winter or disruptive events in the Middle East could be “devastating” for Mainers and could be offset by efficiency improvements this summer.

Within the survey, the lowest actual heating oil price of $3.44 per gallon was found in southwestern Maine. The highest price of $4.07 was in central Maine.

Gasoline prices in Maine fall by a nickel in a week

Maine drivers are experiencing some relief at the pump, with the average retail price of gasoline dropping by nearly a nickel in the past week.

Price-monitoring website MaineGasPrices.com said Monday that the average cost of a gallon in Maine is now $3.90. That’s 9 cents more than the national average.

The current price in Maine is about 4 cents lower than at the same time last year and nearly a penny more than a month ago.

Cumulus sells radio stations in central, northern Maine

Cumulus radio stations in the Bangor, Augusta and Presque Isle markets are included in the $116 million purchase of 55 radio stations by Townsquare Media.

Cumulus said the deal is part of its plan to focus on radio stations in large markets.

WLBZ-TV said Connecticut-based Townsquare will acquire five stations in Bangor, three in Presque Isle and four in Augusta. Cumulus, which is keeping its Portland stations, also picks up 10 stations in Illinois under the deal.

Townsquare CEO Steven Price said the transaction represents the company’s continued investment in small and mid-sized markets across the country.

Energy Transfer Partners acquires the Sunoco brand

Energy Transfer Partners is buying Sunoco in a $5.3 billion deal that creates one of the more diverse pipeline companies in the country.

The acquisition includes nearly 8,000 miles of pipeline, as well as 4,900 gas stations in 24 Eastern states. Those stations will keep the iconic Sunoco brand name and its diamond-and-arrow logo. The deal also includes a refinery business that Sunoco is no longer interested in owning.

– From news service reports

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