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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of the "State of the Air 2015" report by the American Lung Association. The American Lung Association is the leading organiza- tion in the U.S. working to improve lung health and prevent lung disease. "Today's report by the American Lung Association finds that more than half of all Americans live in counties in the U.S. where ozone or particulate emission lev- els are meeting EPA clean air standards. The downside is that about four in 10 Americans live in communities with unhealthy levels of either ozone or par- ticle pollution. "We're extremely pleased the ALA has identified cleaner diesel fleets as one of two main contributors to the success- ful efforts to reduce particulate emission levels in the U.S. Cleaner power plants were also identified as a key contributor for better air quality," said Allen Schaeffer, the executive director of the ALA. "'State of the Air 2015' gave reason for celebration but also identified areas of growing concern," said Harold P. Wimmer, national president and CEO of the American Lung Association. "The best progress showed in levels of year- round particle pollution, which have been steadily improving. For that you can thank the transition to cleaner diesel fuel and engines and steps taken to clean up power plants, especially in the eastern United States. We are pleased to see that those steps not only reduced particle pol- lution, but also helped many cities reduce their ozone pollution as well." NEW ANALYSIS HIGHLIGHTS U.S. REFINERS' CONTRIBUTION TO CLEAN AIR New analysis concludes that emissions from U.S. fuel manufacturers have decreased substantially over the last two decades, even as U.S. petroleum fuel pro- duction increased during the same time period. These findings, combined with other Environmental Protection Agency data showing continuous and signifi- cant reductions in all criteria pollutants economy-wide, raise further questions regarding EPA's rationale for propos- ing new National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers commissioned Sage Environmental Consulting to conduct the analysis. Using EPA data, the Sage report revealed a significant reduction in both criteria air pollutant emissions and hazardous air pollutants emissions during the period of investigation from 1990 to 2013. The analysis also highlights that despite density and sulfur content of crude oil feedstocks increasing over 16 percent during the study period, the primary CAP emissions—sulfur diox- ide, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds—fell by 91%, 67% and 69%, respectively. Total HAP emissions simi- larly declined by 66%. EPA is in the process of finalizing new emissions control standards to reduce ground-level ozone from the current level of 75 parts per billion to between 65 and 70 ppb, a rulemaking that could reduce U.S. Gross Domestic Product by as much as $140 billion per year according to a recent report. The current standard was enacted in 2008, but the Agency did not finalize implementation regulations until February 2015. "The refining industry's demonstrated commitment to improving efficiencies and investing in technological advance- ments to process both heavier and lighter crude oils will guarantee further emissions reductions without overly burdensome new requirements," Drevna said. "It is important to recognize that ozone-form- ing emissions will continue to decrease due to the 2008 ozone standard, the implementation of which did not even begin until earlier this year. Revisiting the standard now typifies the proverbial anal- ogy about moving the goal posts. Policy makers need to look at these facts before approving little-to-no benefit regula- tions that will impose additional costs on domestic manufacturers." Calendar of Events JUNE, 2015 NEFI Energy Expo June 10-11 DCU Center Worcester, MA christine@nefi.com 617-924-1000 RI OESP Trade Show & Outing June 23 Francis Farm, Rehobeth, MA. Contact: Don Borrzuto, Event Manager 401-641-6817 Maine Energy Marketers Association 61st Annual Convention June 28-30 Harborside Hotel, Spa & Marina, Bar Harbor, ME. 207-729-5298 JULY, 2015 PPA Summer Conference July 5-7 2100 Baltimore Ave, Ocean City, MD Contact: http://www.ppmcsa.org/ contact-us Dale Knob Memorial Golf Tournament July 9 401 S Schuylkill Ave, Norristown, PA Contact: James Rafferty 610-325-3761 L.I. Oilheating & Cooling Chapter - Fishing Trip July 16 Captree State Park 3500 E. Ocean Parkway Babylon, NY 11702 888-552-0900 Oregon Fuels Association Convention July 19-21 Sunriver Resort, Sunriver, OR New York Oil Heating Association Annual Outing July 20 Cherry Valley Country Club, Garden City, N.Y. 212-695-1380 info@nyoha.org DATELINE BREAKING NEWS 4 JUNE 2015 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www.fueloilnews.com