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dateline Industry Groups Cheer New York Bioheat Legislation Featured News The New York State Assembly and Senate passed legislation that sets a new standard for all heating oil sold in the state, requiring it to contain at least two percent biodiesel (B2, known in the industry as Bioheat®) by 2015. A broad range of industry and environmental groups voiced support for the legislation, which will reduce air emissions and create jobs throughout the nation's largest heating oil market. "America's advanced biofuel and Bioheat are a great fit for New York's heating oil market" said Shelby Neal, NBB Director of State Governmental Affairs. "Creating a standard that includes at least 2 percent biodiesel will replace about 30 million gallons of petroleum annually with a cleaner burning, renewable fuel." Biodiesel is the first alternative fuel designated as an advanced biofuel by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reach a billion gallons of annual production. It is domestically produced from agricultural co-products and byproducts such as soybean oil, animal fats, and recycled cooking oil. "New York State's crop farmers are growing more and more soybeans every year," said Julia Robbins, Executive Director, New York Corn and Soybean Association. "This policy will help provide New York farmers with a new market for the state's soybean oil." New York City, the largest municipal consumer of heating oil in the country, has already taken advantage of biodiesel's benefits by instituting a citywide 2 percent biodiesel requirement in October of 2012. "Extensive testing has clearly shown that biodiesel blended with traditional heating oil is safe, seamless, and actually improves fuel efficiency through cleaning and preserving equipment," said John Maniscalco, CEO of the New York Oil Heating Association. "This law extends these tremendous benefits to all New Yorkers and will provide the state with the cleanest, most sustainable heating oil New York Bioheat legislation Cargas celebrates 25 years Institute of Long Island; New York Oil Heating Association, Inc.; United Metro Energy Corp.; New York Corn and Soybean Growers Association; and the National Biodiesel Board. To be called biodiesel, the fuel must meet the strict quality specifications of ASTM D 6751. Biodiesel has been tested extensively in both on-road and space heating applications. It is produced in nearly every state in the country and last year supported some 50,000 jobs nationwide. Amthor unveils new mobile phone app Connecticut Home Heating Oil Sulfur Content Update Connecticut heating oil sulfur content Biodiesel production figures OESP show review New Miller Oil Co. general manager Taco's Borrow Barba Contest in the country." Not only is Bioheat cleaner, it creates economic activity that benefits consumers. "A uniform fuel standard for Bioheat across New York State will promote investment in the heating oil industry and increase the number of green collar jobs and overall opportunity in the state," said John A. Catsimatidis, CEO of United Biofuels, Inc. "These are jobs that can't be shipped overseas and provide economic activity in our own communities." The legislation calls for all heating oil sold in the City of New York, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, and Rockland counties to contain at least two percent biodiesel by October 1, 2014, and all heating oil sold statewide to meet this standard by July 1, 2015. The legislation will become effective upon the governor's signature. The legislation was supported by the City of New York, Office of the Mayor; NYC Citywide Administrative Services; Environmental Defense Fund; American Lung Association in New York; New York League of Conservation Voters; WE ACT for Environmental Justice; Environmental Advocates of New York; New York Public Interest Research Group; Empire State Petroleum Association, Inc.; Oil Heat The Connecticut General Assembly passed a bill that reduces the sulfur content of home heating oil from a maximum of 3,000ppm to 500ppm on July 1, 2014. The bill further reduces the sulfur content to 15ppm on July 1, 2018. The bill will become law effective upon the governor's signature. The current maximum sulfur content of heating oil allowed by state law will remain at 3,000ppm until July 1, 2014. EPA Announces May Biodiesel Production Figures Biodiesel production reached 135 million gallons for the month of May, according to the latest EPA figures, putting the industry on target to once again exceed annual volume requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Biodiesel, an EPA-designated Advanced Biofuel that has surpassed RFS targets for two consecutive years, is reported under the Biomass-based Diesel category under the RFS. The numbers show a total of nearly 140 million gallons of Biomass-based Diesel for May, but that total also includes production of renewable diesel. The biodiesel portion of the total was 135 million gallons - putting year-to-date biodiesel production through the end of May at nearly 504 million gallons. www.fueloilnews.com | FUEL OIL NEWS | JULY 2013 3