AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has ended a surcharge on gasoline and other petroleum products, saving consumers an estimated $5.5 million this year.

The DEP says improved fiscal management allowed it to stop a 20-cent-per-barrel surcharge on gasoline imported into Maine and a 10-cent surcharge on other petroleum products including home heating oil.

The decision is supported by an independent board that oversees a fund administered by DEP for cleaning up oil discharges from storage tanks.

Funding comes from a 38-cent fee for each barrel of gasoline and a 19-cent fee on all other petroleum products. The extra surcharge that just ended has been in place for seven years to help bolster the fund.


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