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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Some utilities have also claimed that energy efficiency targets are too costly to implement. However, another recent report by ACEEE finds that programs aimed at reducing energy waste cost utilities less than three cents per kilowatt hour, while gener- ating the same amount of electricity from sources such as fossil fuels can cost two to three times more. "Opponents of energy efficiency sav- ings targets ignore the costs of building expensive new power plants, which are paid for through charges on utility bills," said ACEEE senior fellow Martin Kushler. "Because saving energy through efficiency improvements is much cheaper than build- ing a new power plant, energy efficiency programs end up resulting in lower utility bills for customers." The report analyzes energy efficiency targets from states across the country, including: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, North Carolina and Nevada. Other Key Findings Include: • Experience leads to success. States that ramp up targets over time are able to improve programs to meet rising savings targets. • The most effective energy savings tar- gets are paired with financial incentives that encourage program administrators to exceed targets. • Spending limits and policies that allow large customers like factories to opt-out of efficiency programs artificially limit energy savings potential. EERS policies can be tailored to meet the needs of geographically and politically diverse states. To read the report, visit: http://aceee.org/ research-report/u1403 Senate Panel advanceS BiodieSel tax incentive The National Biodiesel Board called on Congress to act quickly on tax legislation recently, after the Senate Finance Committee passed a package of tax provisions including an extension of the biodiesel tax incentive. The $1-per-gallon incentive for biod- iesel expired on Dec. 31, 2013. Biodiesel is an EPA-designated advanced biofuel made from a variety of resources including soy- bean oil, recycled cooking oil and animal fats. Congress also allowed the biodiesel incentive to expire in 2010 and 2012. "This is the third time in five years that the biodiesel incentive has lapsed, making it incredibly difficult for biodiesel businesses to plan for expansion or build infrastruc- ture," said Anne Steckel, vice president of federal affairs at NBB. "We applaud the Senate Finance Committee for taking the first step toward extending it and urge the House and Senate to continue the commit- tee's bipartisan work by acting quickly to extend this credit so the biodiesel industry can get back to work." The bill, to date only passed in commit- tee, would reinstate the biodiesel incentive retroactively to Jan. 1, 2014, and extend it through the end of 2015. The incentive also covers renewable aviation fuel and renew- able diesel, a similar diesel alternative. H.R. 4076: HHeatt act of 2014 A new federal law addresses the hours of service issues that home heating fuel suppliers faced during the recent, harsh winter. T h e H o m e H e a t i n g E m e r g e n c y Assistance Through Transportation Act of 2014 or HHEATT Act of 2014 declares that a covered emergency exemption from federal motor carrier safety regulations issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration shall remain in effect until May 31, 2014, unless the Secretary of Transportation determines that the emergency for which the exemption was provided ends before that date. It defines "covered emergency exemption" as one issued or extended between Feb. 5, 2014, and the date of enactment of this act to effect regulatory relief for commercial motor vehicle operations directly assisting the delivery of propane and home heat- ing fuels. It further states that nothing in this act may be construed to prohibit the FMCSA from issuing or extending a cov- ered emergency exemption beyond May 31, 2014, under other federal law. Calendar of Events May PPA Education – May Various Dates (visit site for details) Hydronics/HAZMAT/Hot Air/Basic AC Website:www.ppmcsa.org F.W. Webb's Vermont Expo May 1, 2014 Barre, VT Website:www.fwwebb.com National Association of Oil & Energy Service Professionals Roadshow May 12-13, 2014 Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Ct. Website: www.naohsm.org Phone: 888-552-0900 Oiheat Manufacturers Association Spring 2014 Meeting May 21, 2014 Beckett's New England Technical Center, Sturbridge, MA. Phone: 802- 325-3509 PMAA Washington Conference and Day on the Hill May 21-23, 2014 (Wednesday-Friday) Day on the Hill is May 22 (Thursday) Washington Marriott at Metro Center Phone: 703-351-8000 Vermont Fuel Dealer Conference May 28-29, 2014 Snowflake Resort, Stowe, Vt. http://www.vermontfuel.com/ Phone: 802-230-4722 JunE Visions Conference hosted by the New England Fuel Institute, June 10-11, 2014 DCU Center, Worcester, MA. Phone: 617-924-1000. Email: christine@nefi.com Tri-State Propane Gas Association Conference June 16-18, 2014 The Sagamore Bolton Landing, N.Y. Phone: (Barbara Roach) 518-383-3823 Email: nypga@nycap.rr.com www.nypropane.com DatElinE BREAkiNg NEWS 4 MaY 2014 | fUel oil neWS | www.fueloilnews.com