AUGUSTA -- The cost of heating oil in Maine continues to fall, with the average cash price dropping 4 cents a gallon in the past week to $2.43.

John Kerry of the Governor's Office of Energy Independence and Security says the decline came as demand for oil dropped to its lowest level in 12 years in the U.S. Overall, heating oil prices have dropped $2.28 since the price peaked at $4.71 in July.

In the latest survey, the lowest price of $1.90 per gallon was found in southern Maine, with the highest price of $3.60 in western Maine.

Kerosene prices were down 9 cents at $2.91 a gallon on average, while propane was up 8 cents to an average price of $2.87.