The home heating oil industry has a long and proud history, and Fuel Oil News has been there supporting it since 1935. It is an industry that has faced many challenges during that time. In its 77th year, Fuel Oil News is doing more than just holding
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New HampsHire From OHCNH: Keeping a Community warm Palmer Gas Ermer Oil was on the parade circuit [Nov. 30] at both the Derry and Salem Parades, creating a buzz with their unique float, a 1,000 gallon propane tank converted into a winter wonderland snow globe. Their mission: to keep their com- munity warm. This holiday season they are donating heating oil to Operation Helping Hand, a non-profit oil heat assis- tance program for families of service men and women who are actively deployed and serving overseas. Bill Ermer, president of PGEO said, "We have a lot to be thankful for this year and are proud to work with veterans every day here in our office. We give thanks to our troops and the families of those who serve, because we know they are also mak- ing sacrifices, not only during the winter months, but all year long." Bob Sculley, executive director of the Oil Heat Council of New Hampshire, which manages Operation Helping Hand, stated, "Having the ability to offer sup- port to our veterans' families by providing them with warmth through the winter is a wonderful way to give back to the indi- viduals who do so much for us." To make a financial contribution to Operation Helping Hand, please contact the Oil Heat Council of New Hampshire: 603-415-8330 or info@nhoilheat.com. New YOrK From Tom Peters, UNYEA Governor Cuomo Vetoes propane Container Legislation, again On Friday, Governor Cuomo vetoed legislation sponsored by Assemblyman William Magee (A.6804) and Senator Kathy Young (S.2049B), and supported by ESEA, that would have prohibited the filling, emptying or use of any lique- fied petroleum gas cylinder, container or receptacle with a capacity of more than 20 gallons, except by the owner or by a per- son authorized in writing by such owner. In some instances, consumers have been enticed by competing propane fuel dealers to purchase propane fuel from them based on misleading advertised prices. In these instances, where the pro- pane tank is owned by a different propane dealer than the dealer supplying the fuel, there often is little regard for the safety and welfare of the tank during the fueling transaction as well as no regard for the safe handling and storage of the poten- tially hazardous fuel-endangering the consumer. As a result, propane consumers are defrauded and propane dealers suffer damages resulting from the unauthor- ized use of their propane tank for which they remain responsible. In his veto message, the Governor stated: The bill would prohibit any dealer of liquefied petroleum gas from selling LPG to fill a fuel tank with a capacity of more than twenty gallons, unless the tank owner authorizes the sale in writing. I did not approve a nearly identical bill in 2012 (Veto No.136), which covered LPG tanks with a capacity of more than 10 gallons. In many instances, the owner of an LPG tank is another LPG dealer; the unintended consequence of this bill would be to limit consumers' ability to choose from whom they can purchase LPG. Moreover, the bill will shift the cost of enforcing the private contract rights of LPG tank owner to the taxpayers of' New York. Therefore, on order to protect consumer choice for the many users of propane tanks, including homeowners, businesses and farmers, I am compelled to veto this bill. The bill is disapproved. please Help the michael J. manning scholarship Fund The Michael J. Manning Scholarship Fund needs your help. This scholarship was established in memory of long- time member Michael J. Manning who died suddenly in 2004. Unfortunately, the scholarship funds have run out. Contributions are sorely needed to keep the scholarship going to provide monetary awards to the employees and children of UNYEA members who attend a college or a vocational program. Mike Manning was a dear friend to many members of the Upstate New York Energy Association. He had a distin- guished career in the oil business having worked for Sprague, Mirabito and CIBRO. Please consider making a contribution, in any amount, by sending a check made out to UNYEA. The mailing address is UNYEA, c/o ESEA, 56 Clifton Country Road, Suite 108, Clifton Park, NY 12065. UNYEA thanks the following who have contributed to date: Angus Energy, Inc.; Reinhardt Corp.; IPT, LLC; Valley Oil Co., Inc.; and Mac-Industrial Services, Inc. peNNsYLVaNia ppa in the News: eia reports Heating Oil, propane prices Drop more than Natural Gas electric The Dec. 5 Harrisburg Patriot News reported the drop in crude oil prices will result in heating oil and propane prices going down 15% and 27% respectively, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, as compared to a 5% drop for natural gas and a 2% drop for electricity. In the article, John Kulik, executive vice president of the Pennsylvania Petroleum Association, explained the drop in crude oil prices is good news for heating oil cus- tomers and local oil distributors, especially compared to natural gas. The articles also noted, "If it's 10% colder than forecast, the oil prices would only be 5% lower; propane, 15% lower; natural gas prices could rise 6%, and elec- tricity rates could rise 2%." STATE BY STATE N e w s 10 JaNuarY 2015 | FueL OiL News | www.fueloilnews.com ...the drop in crude oil prices will result in heating oil and propane prices going down 15% and 27% respectively... —Harrisburg Patriot News