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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API's GerArd outlInes electIon yeAr cAmPAIGn In stAte of AmerIcAn enerGy event American Petroleum Institute President and CEO Jack Gerard outlined API's advo- cacy and messaging priorities, issued a new report and launched a new ad campaign during his 2014 State of American Energy speech which focused on the impact of future policy decisions on America's energy revolution. "To lead the energy policy discussion and educate the public on the game-changing impact of the choices our nation faces when it comes to energy policy, API's 2014 m e s s a g i n g a n d advocacy theme is America's Energy, America's Choice," Gerard said. "It distills America's energy policy dis- cussion down to a basic choice: An American energy future of energy abundance, self-sufficiency and global leadership or energy scarcity, dependence and economic uncertainty." Gerard also outlined the broad eco- nomic, geopolitical and security benefits of record-breaking domestic oil and natural gas production in the U.S. "We can erase what for decades has been America's greatest economic vulnerabil- ity — our dependence on energy sources from other continents, particularly from less stable and less friendly nations – and funda- mentally alter the geopolitical landscape for decades to come, all while providing a much needed boost to our economy. But only if we get our energy policy right," Gerard said. Gerard also unveiled the results of a new study by IHS, which estimates that capi- tal spending in oil and gas midstream and downstream infrastructure has increased by 60 percent between 2010 and 2013, from $56.3 billion to $89.6 billion. This increase in capital spending has provided both an economic stimulus and further proof of how shale driven oil and gas production is reshaping the U.S. oil and gas infrastructure landscape, according to the report. The IHS analysis also estimates that $85 - $90 billion of direct capital will be allocated toward oil and gas infrastructure in 2014. The IHS forecast of oil and gas infrastructure invest- ment over the next 12 years (2014 – 2025) estimates a cumulative spending of $890 billion (in 2012 Dollars) in the base case, and $1.15 trillion in the high production case. API is a national trade association that represents all segments of America's tech- nology-driven oil and natural gas industry. Its more than 580 members – including large integrated companies, exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, marine businesses and service and supply firms – provide most of the nation's energy and are backed by a growing grassroots movement of over 15 million Americans. ProPAne Industry cAlls on trAnsPortAtIon secretAry for reGIonAl Hours of servIce relIef In a letter to Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, the 3,000 mostly small busi- ness members of the National Propane Gas Association called on the Secretary to grant regional exemptions from Hours of Service regulations for the Midwest and Eastern Service Centers to relieve the pressure on the current propane distribution network. In the fall of 2013, a number of separate events occurred that, when combined, exacerbated the effects of the transporta- tion and infrastructure challenges in the network. Richard Roldan, NPGA's president and CEO, explained that this is a transporta- tion and distribution issue, not a supply problem. "The supply of propane in the United States is strong. In the last year, we produced more than a billion gallons of propane. What the industry is experienc- ing now is a distribution challenge brought on by a number of factors, including: a late, wet grain and corn harvest, historic low temperatures, insufficient propane storage, pipeline maintenance, reduced capacity for propane transports via rail and a change in the flow of energy in North America." So far, 24 states, primarily in the Midwest and Northeast, have issued HOS waivers. Highlighting the need for a regional waiver, Roldan continued, "Some states forgo issuing exemptions citing the significant expenditure of resources and coordination needed between the industry and state offi- cials. A regional waiver would eliminate the patchwork of state exemptions and pro- vide an important measure of uniformity throughout these regions." During regional emergencies, fed- eral law allows for a representative of the president (such as a cabinet secretary) or a governor to declare a regional emergency and relief from state regulations. The let- ter to Foxx cites the "…interruption of the delivery of essential supplies, i.e. pro- pane winter heating fuel, that continues to www.fueloilnews.com | fuel oIl neWs | februAry 2014 3 Dateline • API's Gerard outlines election year campaign in State of American Energy event • Propane industry calls on transportation secretary for regional hours of service relief • AARP Foundation Establishes winter relief fund • API outlines impact of private infrastructure investments on heating costs HVaC/HyDroniCs - pg 30 • New York HVAC contractors now required to recycle mercury thermostats • NATE introduces changes to certification program • Dan Holohan to present classic hydronics Featured News DateliNe BREAkING NEwS Jack Gerard Rich Roldan, NPGA's president and CEO