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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editor's note E D I T O R I A L S T A F F Editorial Office EPG Media/Specialty Information Media 3300 Fernbrook Lane N, Suite 200, Plymouth, MN 55447 Publisher John Prusak 763/383-4402 jprusak@snowgoer.com Editor Keith Reid 847/720-5615 kreid@specialtyim.com Managing Editor Nicholas Upton 763/383-4466 nupton@epgmediaLLC.com Columnists Charles Bursey, Sr. Shane Sweet George Lanthier List Rentals MeritDirect, Jim Scova jscova@MeritDirect.com 914/368-1012 Reprints Robin Cooper rcooper@specialtyim.com P R O D U C T I O N Production Manager – Karen Kalinyak Art Director – Brian Snook A D v E R T I S I N g S A L E S East – Dave Campbell, Associate Publisher 413/528-8835 Cell: 413/717-1007 dcampbell@specialtyim.com Central & South Rich Alden 603/899-3010 Fax: 603/899-2343 ralden@specialtyim.com West – Ken Jordan 972/540-2122 Fax: 972/540-2127 kjordan@specialtyim.com M A I N O F F I C E EPG Media/Specialty Information Media 3300 Fernbrook Lane N, Suite 200, Plymouth, MN 55447 C U S T O M E R S E R v I C E 847/763-9565 • Fax: 847/763-9569 Fuel Oil News PO Box 2123, Skokie, IL 60076-7823 A s we finish out the old year and get ready for the new year, it's a perfect oppor- tunity (and one taken by many magazines, of course) to reflect upon what has been and what will be. All in all, things are looking up for the deliverable fuels industry both on the oil side and the propane side. Where heating oil is concerned, the same developments in the shale fields that have brought so much cheap natural gas to market are providing plenty of oil for America. So much oil, in fact, that OPEC finally faces some competition. Having to choose between margin and markets, and ultimately allowing U.S. shale production to go unchallenged, the Saudi's have entered into what can be described as a price war. While I believe there is certainly a cap as to how high natural gas prices will go due to the same shale produc- tion, we may finally be seeing a long hoped for reduction in the price of crude and the products produced from it, including heating oil. In Washington, the current administration seems to be bent upon continuing its battle against fossil fuels, regardless of the midterm elections. The good news there is that while natural gas seems to be given more leeway, it's pretty clear that there is really no enthusiasm for any solution that does not involve windmills and solar panels. For those looking for speculation reform, the changes in Washington are probably not entirely positive since Republicans tend to be focused on deregulation—including the financial markets. However, despite plenty of lip service, the Obama administration did not seem to be particularly interested in putting the same efforts behind seeing Dodd-Frank across the finish line in the regulatory process as it has in numerous other national initiatives. So, maybe that's more of a wash. The National Oilheat Research Alliance is back in business, and the fruits of its initial labors are starting to take hold as research priorities are being set and money distributed to serve the various educational aspects of its charter. Industry associations are working to not only support the organization as it gets moving, but to also enhance the program through legislative initiatives in Washington. Where the winter and degree days are concerned, the Energy Information Administration has predicted a winter no more severe, and in fact milder, than last year. They anticipate lower fuel volumes of all types because of this. Fortunately, this may not be the case. EIA seems to be bucking the trend among a range of meteorolo- gists who predict a winter every bit as severe, if not more so, than the last. Of course, predicting weather is about like predicting oil prices, so we'll just have to wait and see what develops. Fuel Oil News has covered all of the issues noted above during 2014, and in fact many of them are additionally covered in this issue. We will continue to cover these topic areas and any new developments that arise in 2015. We also encourage our read- ers in the coming year to get involved with their associations legislatively, in fighting those who would see them financially harmed or ruined at the state and federal levels. Several articles in this issue touch on how very important that is to keeping the business environment favorable to all deliverable fuels. Being active not only helps the industry but your individual business. So, as hectic as this time of year is for you all, please take some time to enjoy the holidays with your family and friends. And while you're doing so, relax in the knowledge that things are looking up. l F o n Keith Reid 8 DECEMBER 2014 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www.fueloilnews.com Membership applied for January 2014 Not a bad year