HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Oil heat businesses say a new Connecticut law that sharply cuts sulfur content in home heating oil will reduce costs for consumers.

Beginning July 1, the sulfur content of home heating oil in Connecticut dropped to 500 parts per million from 3,000, an 84 percent reduction.

By July 1, 2018, the sulfur content of home heating oil will fall to 15 parts per million.

Chris Herb, president of Connecticut Energy Marketers Association, which represents 600 family-run home-heating oil companies in Connecticut, said the new fuel content limits will save consumers money in annual maintenance costs for home heating equipment.

The reduced sulfur content also is expected to lead to a drop in sulfur dioxide, which will cut air pollution.

Other jurisdictions, such as Maine and New York City, already have cut sulfur content.