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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dateline Rhode Island passes statewide Bioheat requirement The governor of Rhode Island signed landmark legislation recently that will ensure all of the state's heating oil becomes Bioheat® by 2014. Starting July 1, 2014, every gallon of oil heat in the state will contain at least 2 percent biodiesel. The Bioheat blend is a greener heating oil gaining popularity in Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states. Although other New England states have passed similar bills, Rhode Island is on track to be the first to implement a statewide Bioheat requirement. The National Biodiesel Board congratulated the local government and the state's heating oil trade association for the progressive move. "I commend the Oil Heat Institute of Rhode Island for not sitting back and waiting for change to come to them," said Paul Nazzaro, who spearheads the Bioheat education program for the National Biodiesel Board. "They recognized Bioheat as the future of their industry that can reverse the contraction of their market, and they took control of their own destiny." Julie Gill, executive director and CEO of the Oil Heat Institute of Rhode Island, said getting the legislation passed took persistence and commitment. "We're proud that the Bioheat requirement has passed, because it will benefit not only our industry, but heating oil consumers in our state," Gill said. "Oil heat systems run more effectively with a biodiesel blend, and Bioheat will help heating oil be more environmentally competitive. We will continue to work towards making our product the cleanest fuel available." The legislation gradually increases the blend from 2 percent to 5 percent by 2017. Biodiesel is a renewable fuel made from agricultural byproducts and co-products such as soybean oil and other fats and oils. It is the only domestically produced, commercially available advanced biofuel in the U.S., and supports 50,000 American jobs. Featured News Rhode Island's Bioheat requirement API's Gerard tells Congress RFS disaster can be averted Star Gas Partners, L.P. announces new president Taco's FloPro University now in its fifth year OESP Hugh McKee Award Emerson Swan introduces Fernox line AquaMotion pump product line Danfoss burner components The National Biodiesel Board is the national trade association representing America's first Advanced Biofuel. The group works to create sustainable biodiesel industry growth through education, communication, governmental affairs, technical and quality assurance programs. Serving as the coordinating body for research and development in the U.S., NBB is comprised of state, national, and international feedstock and feedstock processor organizations, biodiesel suppliers, fuel marketers and distributors, and technology providers. API's Gerard tells Congress RFS disaster can be averted At a U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing, API President and CEO Jack Gerard testified that the federal biofuels mandate, known as the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), is broken beyond repair but that disaster can still be averted. "The RFS isn't just a relic of America's bygone era of energy scarcity, it is a grave economic threat," Gerard said. "Unless it is immediately halted, it will unnecessarily cost our economy and consumers billions of dollars. To avert this disaster, we call on the administration to immediately waive the volume requirements and for Congress to finally repeal this fundamentally broken law." Gerard said the RFS and its requirements are already beginning to drive up energy production costs. He cited the Energy Policy Research Foundation's (EPRINC) estimate that the program could increase the price of gasoline from 20 cents to as much as $1.00 per gallon by next year. In 2007, when Congress created the RFS, the energy market and our nation's energy landscape were very different, according to Gerard. The RFS was designed to reduce emissions, make the U.S. more energy secure and provide a reliable source of domestic energy that would lessen energy imports from less stable parts of the world. "Today, the U.S. is closer to achieving its important goals not because of the RFS, but because of the oil and natural gas industry's technological advances and vastly expanded energy resources," said Gerard. "Our energy renaissance has driven our nation's CO2 emissions near a twenty year low, made the U.S. the number one producer of natural gas in the world, and put us on track to become the world's largest producer of oil in just a few years." API is a national trade association that represents all segments of America's technology-driven oil and natural gas industry. Its more than 500 members – including large integrated companies, exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms – provide most of the nation's energy. The industry also supports 9.2 million U.S. jobs and 7.7 percent of the U.S. economy, delivers $86 million a day in revenue to our government, and, since 2000, has invested over $2 trillion in U.S. capital projects to advance all forms of energy, including alternatives. FUEL OIL NEWS (ISSN 0016-2396), Canada Publication Mail Agreement #1588621, is published monthly by Specialty Information Media. 1030 W. Higgins Road, Suite 230, Park Ridge, Il 60068. Circulated free of charge to qualified individuals in the oil heating industry in the United States. Additional and/or personal copies are available on a paid subscription basis only. 1-year subscription rates: $28.00 USA. $40.00 Canada and Mexico via service postage. $90.00 other foreign countries via air-mail postage. Single copies: $8.00 U.S. via first-class postage. $12.00 other Canada/Mexico/Foreign via airmail postage. Payable in US currency. Periodicals postage paid at Park Ridge, IL and additional mailing offices. Copyright 2013 by Bev-Al Communications, Inc. Reproduction of any portion or portions of this publication is specifically prohibited without written consent. Postmaster: Send address changes to FUEL OIL NEWS, PO Box 4290, Port Jervis, NY 12771. www.fueloilnews.com | FUEL OIL NEWS | AUGust 2013 3