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 Calendar of Events January AHR Expo January 21-23 New York City, Javits Convention Center www.ahrexpo.com/attend29 March The Work Truck Show March 5–7, 2014 Indiana Convention Center Indianapolis, Ind. www.ntea.com under the Continuing Resolution apportionment passed by Congress last month as part of the temporary deal to reopen the federal government. Overall, HHS released $2.9 billion in regular block grant funding, which represents 90 percent of the fiscal year 2013 funding. The CR expires on January 15. Congress is working on the final appropriation funding level for LIHEAP as part of the House and Senate budget conference negotiations. LIHEAP supporters are asking for $4.7 billion in total funding for 2014. OSHA Workplace Hazard Communication Rule Requires Employee Training The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a final rule making changes to the agency's existing Hazard Communication Standard (HAZCOM). The HAZCOM standard has been in effect since 1983 and requires chemical manufacturers to label hazardous chemicals, prepare Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) describing potential chemical hazards and provide safe handling instructions for downstream employers. Under the existing HAZCOM program, employers must inform employees of the presence of hazardous chemicals in the workplace by: ensuring containers are properly labeled; providing access to material safety data sheets; and conducting hazardous chemical training. Study: Biodiesel Industry Supporting 62,000 Jobs The U.S. biodiesel industry – the largest producer of EPA-designated Advanced Biofuel in the nation – is supporting more than 62,000 jobs and $2.6 billion in wages this year with production on pace for a record of 1.7 billion gallons, according to a study released. "This is further evidence that a growing biodiesel industry and a strong Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) are good for the economy," said Anne Steckel, vice president of federal affairs at the National Biodiesel Board (NBB). "Biodiesel is a true RFS success story, and we should continue that momentum next year with modest growth that will create even more jobs." Biodiesel is made from an increasingly diverse mix of resources such as recycled cooking oil, agricultural oils and animal fats. The study, which can be found here, found that employment supported by the industry would drop by almost 8,000 jobs if the EPA were to limit production to 1.28 billion gallons, the volume proposal included in a recently leaked EPA document outlining potential RFS standards next year. "The negative impact of that proposal is clear – it would force biodiesel plants to close and put people out of work," Steckel said. "The EPA and the Obama administration can avoid that by supporting a strong 2014 standard that is at least consistent with this year's production." The study, commissioned by NBB !"#$%&'(#)*+#,%-.* 9:;<*0(,,(#)*65,,#)1* 9:C*0(,,(#)*65,,#)1* ;:@*0(,,(#)*65,,#)1* /#01*2%33#"'.$** =>?=@@* * * D;?;@@* * * DD?D@@* * * and conducted by LMC International, a global economic research firm, looked at three production scenarios for 2014. First, under status quo production of 1.7 billion gallons, supported employment would remain at 62,200 jobs with supported wages of $2.6 billion and total economic impact of nearly $16.8 billion. If production were to fall back to 1.28 billion gallons, the number of supported jobs would drop to 54,500, with supported wages falling below $2.3 billion and total economic impact reduced to $12.2 billion. A third analysis looks at a high-volume scenario, consistent with recent months' volumes averaging roughly 170 million gallons, or an annualized rate of 2 billion gallons. It found that the number of supported jobs would rise to 66,600, supporting wages of nearly $2.8 billion and total economic impact of more than $20 billion. "The difference between 1.28 and 2 billion gallons next year could result in a swing of 12,000 jobs supported, $500 million in wages paid, and $7.8 billion in total economic impact," Steckel said. Biodiesel is the first and only commercial-scale fuel produced across the U.S. to meet the EPA's definition as an Advanced Biofuel - meaning the EPA has determined that it reduces greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50 percent when compared with petroleum diesel. Produced in nearly every state in the country, the industry has exceeded RFS requirements in every year of the program, producing more than 1 billion gallons annually since 2011. NBB is the U.S. biodiesel trade association. For more details on biodiesel's benefits, visit biodiesel.org. 456.1*2%33#"'.$* A;:B*0(,,(#)* * A;:D*0(,,(#)* * A;:<*E(,,(#)* * 7&#)#-(&*8-35&'* A9;:;*0(,,(#)* A9D:<*0(,,(#)* A;@*0(,,(#)* 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. 4 december 2013 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www.fueloilnews.com