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ConneCtiCut Good news from CeMA: Gas Con- version in new Canaan Bogs Down From the association: As reported in the May 1 edition of CEMA Pipeline, Yankee Gas is making a big push to bring in new lines to off-main customers in New Canaan and nearby Wilton. They've held a number of public meetings, including bring- ing in the "big guns" from corporate parent Northeast Utilities. Well, their efforts seemed to have bogged down. The handwriting was on the wall when the other major utility, United Illuminating, reported very poor results in achieving the critical mass needed to bring in new lines to communities at a regulatory hearing earlier in the year. This despite the fact that the legislature made the regulations to convert customers to gas much easier (the so-called hurdle rate). The frustration of town officials was made plain in a recent article published in the New Canaan Advertiser: "I don't think we're get- ting gas in 2014 at all," said Howard Freeman, chairman of the town's Utilities Commission. Commission member Scott LaShelle belittled Yankee Gas's efforts, saying "It's a joke. It's a complete joke. They've not done a credit- able marketing job in the least." He also called Yankee "the biggest loser ever." Had they suc- ceeded in bringing gas lines into New Canaan and Wilton, this success would have been the crown jewels in Yankee's efforts to bring utility gas to affluent off-main customers. In no small part, CEMA members Gault Energy, Levco and Servco helped stir the pot in New Canaan and Wilton, casting doubt on the feasibility of these ambitious projects. Yet the industry must not let up our guard despite winning this initial skirmish. The utilities will be back to these two towns, and elsewhere. In the words of Thomas Jefferson, "Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom." CeMA has a Cleaver Approach to Willy-nilly natural Gas expansion— Paving ordinances From the association: The time to act is now! CEMA is asking members to reach out to your local mayor, first selectman, town council members, public works director or anyone who may have an interest in saving taxpayers money and maintaining local roads from the damage that the utilities are doing as they tear up pave- ment and leave behind shoddy patch jobs. Some municipalities in Connecticut require "curb to curb paving" or "architectural integrity" ordi- nances. CEMA has prepared a sample paving ordinance for you to use with your local town officials. Please contact us before you reach out to an elected official or public works director so we can prep you on how you should approach them and review how the ordinance works. Please contact Chris Herb or David Chu at 860-613-2041 and let us know if you are willing to help out in this effort. Our goal is to introduce this ordinance in all 169 municipalities in 2014, but we need your help! neW York 2014 HVoeC Bill Fischbeck Memorial Scholarship Winner Announced A g a t h e r i n g o f 1 1 6 H u d s o n V a l l e y O i l & Energy Council members, associate members and supporters came together on Monday, May 12, 2014, at the Otterkill Golf & Country Club for the 2014 Annual Bill Fischbeck Memorial Golf Outing. Also in attendance was Hailey Gorton, winner of the 2014 Bill Fischbeck Memorial Scholarship. A senior at Tri-Valley High School in Grahamsville, N.Y., Gorton was chosen from a pool of applicants to be awarded this year's top scholarship prize of $3,000, which will help pay for her tuition at SUNY Ulster College where she plans to matriculate in the fall and major in business administration. After college, she hopes to one day own a real estate business. Currently a class officer and member of the Tri-Valley High School year book club, Gorton was one of seven scholarship winners chosen on the basis of academic record, extracurricular activities, com- munity participation, leadership and potential for success. "We had 116 golfers attend the outing and many prizes were awarded, but the real winners were this year's scholarship recipients," said HVOEC president Steve Schliessman. To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants had to be relatives of HVOEC members or children of employees of a HVOEC member or associate member; Hailey Gorton is the granddaughter of Margaret Gorton, who has worked with the Van Etten Oil Co. in Monticello, N.Y., for 14 years. HVOEC established the Bill Fischbeck Memorial Scholarship in 2000 to honor the memory of longtime ESPA and HVOEC member Bill Fischbeck. It has been said that Bill never missed an opportunity to inspire and mentor young people. Often referred to as "an oilman's oilman," he contributed a wealth of time and energy to the HVOEC as an active member of the organization's board of directors. For more information on the Hudson Valley Oil & Energy Council, the Bill Fischbeck Memorial Scholarship and the Bill Fischbeck Memorial Golf Outing, visit: www. hudsonvalleyoilandenergycouncil.com. PennSYlVAniA See eSPn's Merril Hoge at the PPA/eSPA Convention ESPN NFL analyst and contributor Merril Hoge will speak at the Pennsylvania Petroleum Association and the Empire State Petroleum Association Convention, Trade Show, and Annual Meeting this fall. The event will take place from Sept. 24-26, 2014, at HERSHEY® Lodge. Hoge will share his story of tenacity in the face of adversity. His "Find a Way" phi- losophy has helped him attain his goals, such as playing in the NFL, as well as over- coming challenges and setbacks, from the death of his mother when he was young, to having to end his football career due to head trauma, and surviving cancer. In addition to Hoge's speech, the PPA/ ESPA Convention will feature a diverse education program, a trade show, and valuable networking opportunities. Visit www.papetroleum.org for more information. Exhibitor registration is now open and general registration will open later this summer. STATE BY STATE N e w s 10 JulY 2014 | Fuel oil neWS | www.fueloilnews.com