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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DA T E L INE and, since 2000, has invested nearly $2 tril- lion in U.S. capital projects to advance all forms of energy, including alternatives. OIL HEAT INDUSTRY GROUPS URGE APPROPRIATORS TO OPPOSE LIHEAP AND WAP CUTS As reported in the June 30 issue of NEON, in a letter to House and Senate Appropriations leaders, the Petroleum Marketers Association of America (PMAA), New England Fuel Institute (NEFI), Oilheat Manufactures Association (OMA) and the National Association of Oil & Energy Service Professionals (OESP) called on Congress to reject the 50 percent funding cut proposed by the president’s FY2012 budget. They urged full funding for the program to the $5.1 billion level provided in fiscal years 2009 and 2010. “While our nation faces significant fis- cal challenges and the LIHEAP program is not perfect, if the president’s proposed cuts are realized more than three million households will lose fuel assistance ben- efits,” the group said. They also cited the impact the cuts could have on the eco- nomic recovery. “According to Moody’s economist Mark Zandi and Princeton University Professor Alan S. Blinder, every dollar in LIHEAP benefits generates $1.13 in economic activity.” The letters said that given the fact that home heating oil dealers and service pro- fessionals deliver products and services “directly to the doorsteps of their custom- ers,” they have seen the need firsthand. “For lower income families with young children, disabled individuals and the elderly, federal and state fuel assistance programs provide some measure of relief in these difficult times.” The groups also urged full funding for the federal Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), which provides states with funds for weatherization programs for low income homeowners. “Vulnerable Americans are also in need of opportuni- ties to make their homes more efficient, lower their energy costs and rely less on fuel assistance,” they said. House and Senate appropriations committees are currently finalizing appro- priations legislation for Labor, Health & Human Services and Education appropri- ations, which provides funds to LIHEAP and Energy & Water appropriations, which provides funds to WAP. A range of support material can be accessed at the NEFI Web site: www.nefi.com. NATIONAL BIODIESEL BOARD SUPPORTS EPA RENEWABLE FUELS PROPOSAL The Environmental Protection Agency’s latest renewable fuels proposal will pro- vide stability for the U.S. biodiesel industry while helping to create jobs, improve the environment, and bolster U.S. energy security, National Biodiesel Board CEO Joe Jobe testified. Speaking at an Environmental Protection Agency hearing, Jobe said the EPA’s proposal represents a modest and sustainable level of growth in the Biomass- based diesel program that is consistent with the availability of the diverse feedstocks used to make biodiesel, such as vegeta- ble oils, recycled cooking oil and animal fats. He noted that biodiesel is the only EPA-designated Advanced Biofuel being produced on a commercial scale across the country, and he commended the EPA for supporting the industry’s growth. “While we believe these are conserva- tive targets for the U.S. biodiesel industry, we applaud the EPA for proposing a rea- sonable increase,” Jobe said in a statement after the hearing. “As America’s only EPA- designated Advanced Biofuel to reach commercial-scale production nationwide, we are ready to meet the challenge.” So far this year, biodiesel is demonstrat- ing its ability to achieve the EPA’s 2011 standard of 800 million gallons. Biomass- based diesel production has averaged some 75 million gallons in recent months, with a high of 82 million gallons in May, putting CALENDAR OF EVENTS SEPTEMBER F.W. Webb’s New York Expo September 8 For info: (781) 665-1967 The Sixth Annual Alt-Wheels Fleet Day September 19 Four Points by Sheraton Norwood, MA www.AltWheels.org F.W. Webb’s Maine Expo September 27 For info: (781) 665-1967 ICPA 61st Annual Meeting & Trade Show September 22 Water’s Edge Resort, Westbrook CT Contact: David P. Chu (860) 613-2041 JANUARY 2012 AHR EXPO Monday, January 23 – Wednesday, January 25 McCormick Place Convention Center Chicago, Illinois www.ahrexpo.com it well on track for meeting or exceeding the target. The EPA’s latest proposal calls for increasing the Biomass-based diesel vol- ume to 1 billion gallons in 2012 and almost 1.3 billion gallons in 2013. (Biodiesel makes up nearly all U.S. Biomass-based diesel production.) Because it qualifies as an Advanced Biofuel, biodiesel is also eligible to exceed the Biomass-based diesel targets and help meet general advanced biofuels requirements under the program. “We’re confident that we can meet these production goals. In doing so, we’ll help cure America’s oil addiction with a clean-burning renewable fuel while creating good-paying American jobs,” Jobe said. “This program was developed to wean the country off for- eign oil with cleaner homegrown fuels, and we believe it’s working as intended.” FUEL OIL NEWS (ISSN 0016-2396), Canada Publication Mail Agreement #1588621, is published monthly by Bev-Al Communications, Inc. 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 2011 by Bev-Al Communications, Inc. Reproduction of any portion or portions of this publication is specifically prohibited without written consent. POSTMASTER: return address changes to Circulation Department, FUEL OIL NEWS, P.O. Box 2121, Skokie, IL 60076-7821 4 AUGUST 2011 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www.fueloilnews.com