Heating oil sticker shock to hit New England

PORTLAND, Maine – While people in most of the country may be worried about their summer air conditioning bills, many residents in the Northeast are way beyond that: They’re already thinking ahead to next winter’s heating bills.

And what those who heat their houses with oil are seeing is giving them sticker shock.

Retail heating oil prices have risen to more than $4.50 a gallon, nearly double what they were last year at this time. Some oil dealers have delayed rolling out their payment plans for next winter as the world oil markets continue their wild ride.

Consumers