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CONNECTICUT From PGANE: Connecticut Fire Code As of May 7 in the state of Connecticut any dwelling with three or more units will be considered commercial and will be covered by the Connecticut Fire Prevention Code. Furthermore in Chapter 69 of the code are the rules set for Liquefied Petroleum Gas. For a dwelling that has two units or less will be covered by the local building official. PENNSYLVANIA Pennsylvania Competes Among Top Energy Producing Nations Pennsylvania now rivals the world's major energy producing countries, according to a ranking published today by API. "This is what energy security looks like," said Stephanie Catarino Wissman, execu- tive director of the Associated Petroleum Industries of Pennsylvania, "Thanks to innovations in hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling, Pennsylvania now outpaces eight of 12 OPEC nations in natural gas production. Rising domestic production has helped to reshape global markets and revitalize job creation here in the United States." With a natural gas output of 6.13 billion cubic feet per day, Pennsylvania would rank 13th among the world's top gas pro- ducing countries, exceeding nations like Mexico and the United Arab Emirates in 2012, the most recent year for which con- sistent international data is available. The state's rapid growth in shale production, unlocked by hydraulic fracturing and hori- zontal drilling, has helped the United States to take the top spot among global produc- ers and places Pennsylvania third among all U.S. states. "Pennsylvania isn't just a national leader—it's a global leader," said Wissman. "Shale production has changed the way other countries view competition from America. To harness the world-class opportunity in front of us, it's critical that policymakers open the doors for free trade and lift regulatory barriers on the con- struction of vital energy infrastructure, including pipelines and export terminals. More urgently, the governor must steer away from higher taxes that would damage Pennsylvania's competitive edge." The oil and natural gas industry sup- ports some 339,000 Pennsylvania jobs and contributes $34.7 billion to the state's economy. The shale revolution also has saved U.S. consumers an estimated $1,200 per household annually. "Responsible production and use of natural gas is a major reason why U.S. carbon emissions are near a 20-year low," added Wissman. "Pennsylvania is leading the world, and our success saves consumers money while cleaning the air." API-PA is a division of API. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf Announces Small Business Advantage Grant Recipients Governor Tom Wolf announced on May 28 that nearly 140 businesses across Pennsylvania will soon install energy-effi- ciency or pollution-prevention projects by using Small Business Advantage Grants pro- vided by the Department of Environmental Protection. This year, DEP awarded more than $980,000 to 139 small businesses. "Improving energy efficiency helps small businesses and helps improve quality of life for all residents," Governor Tom Wolf said. "These grants will help small businesses, improve the environment and grow the economy." Pennsylvania's Small Business Advantage Grant Program, funded through the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act, helps busi- nesses with 100 or fewer employees. It provides 50% matching reimbursement grants of up to $9,500 to implement projects that will save 25% annually in pollution- prevention or energy-related costs. The grants will create more than $2.5 million in private-sector investment in small businesses. "Funding projects like these not only improves the environment, it helps small businesses become more efficient," acting DEP Secretary John Quigley said. "I am pleased to support worthwhile projects that make our air cleaner while making our econ- omy stronger." Examples of eligible projects include high-efficiency HVAC and insulation upgrades, high-efficiency lighting to save energy, installation of energy-efficient heat pumps and new auxiliary power units that help large trucks reduce time spent with idling engines. Since 2004, the program has awarded nearly $9.5 million to 1,915 small businesses statewide RHODE ISLAND ATA Expresses Dismay at Rhode Island Truck Toll Scheme On May 28, the American Trucking Associations urged rejection of a truck- only toll scheme proposed by Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo this week. " A T A i s v e r y d i s a p p o i n t e d w i t h Governor Raimondo's proposal to address Rhode Island's infrastructure investment deficit solely on the back of the trucking industry," said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. "Trucking did not create the state's current infrastructure crisis—that was the result of years of mismanagement and massive diversion of fuel tax and other highway user fee revenue to fund general government expenses – and it is completely unfair that the industry be targeted to fix it." ATA has long opposed tolling of exist- ing interstates as inefficient and unsafe as it is well-known to lead to trucks diverting off larger interstates onto smaller, more congested local highways. "As a former governor, I understand the importance of not only properly funding infrastructure, but maintaining the state's fiscal house," Graves said. "However, this plan to toll only trucks is quite literally highway robbery." STATE BY STATE N E W S www.fueloilnews.com | FUEL OIL NEWS | JULY 2015 9