The 2016-2017 Massachusetts heating oil season, (which runs from October through March), opened with nearly 5% lower prices of the prior heating oil season with #2 Home Heating Oil averaging $2.25 per gallon.

With a global glut of crude oil, prices were lower in Massachusetts than they were for same period 10 years earlier, (average price in 2006-2007 season was $2.38/gallon). With crude trading at under $50.00 per barrel, and a seemingly endless line of producers willing to pump more for less -- prices should remain relatively low throughout the coming heating season.

Never the less, various refined petroleum products including home heating oil could be driven up locally by demand as the Farmer's Almanac for 2016-17 predicts an "Ice Cold and Snow Filled" winter throughout New England.