Fuel Oil News

Fuel Oil News September 2015

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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www.fueloilnews.com | FUEL OIL NEWS | SEPTEMBER 2015 13 FUELS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. NPGA said no changes were needed, and argued that increased insurance requirements "would wrongly suggest increased risk of hazmat transport," and result in increased premiums and disproportionate impact on smaller motor carriers. NPGA is "not aware of any propane incidents where current limits could not cover [a] claim," Arena said. Further, the rule would not lead to an increase in safety, she said. A trucking industry trade group, among others, is siding with NPGA. "The agency's still considering it," she said of the pro- posal. "We're paying close attention." OSHA CRANE RULE "The OSHA crane rule is very much in flux," Arena said. OSHA has pushed back the compliance deadline to November 2017 because it plans to propose a new rule. "We still have some concern about the inclusion of a cer- tification and a qualification requirement for those folks who operate crane trucks like a knuckle-boom," Arena said. "We've met with OSHA on it." The agency understands the limited use of crane equipment by the propane industry, she noted. "OSHA is really trying to target those huge construction cranes that you see in cities, moving glass and all sorts of dif- ferent building parts and beams and things like that. They did not intend to capture our guys. So we are trying to work with the agency to come up with a solution that meets the agency's objectives without imposing these certification/qualification requirements on our members." DOE PROPOSAL FOR FURNACE EFFICIENCY A DOE proposal calls for increasing the minimum annual fuel utilization efficiency for residential furnaces to 92% nationwide, rather than regionally as previously proposed by DOE, NPGA said. Equipment with that rating is considered high-efficiency and would require special venting consid- erations, NPGA said. Replacement of current natural draft furnaces would require major changes to venting configu- ration and drive costs up sharply, the association said. For new construction, HE furnaces would be very expensive and impact low-income residents. The association also cites fuel switching as a concern. "Our comments for the furnace proposal have been sub- mitted," Arena said. Calling the proposed AFUE "incredibly high," Arena added, "It would lead to a considerable amount of fuel switching, from propane and gas-fired to electric alternatives like electric heat pumps or electric-powered furnaces particularly in the South where such electric alterna- tives would probably be less expensive." "We have been talking with other associations in the gas industry about our mutual concerns," Arena said. "There are continuing conversations with DOE about the furnace rule. I think we may see some more agency modification on that proposal before the day is done." DOE PROPOSAL ON HEARTH PRODUCTS The proposal would effectively ban continuous burning pilots (standing pilots) from all hearth products, such as decorative fireplaces, gas log sets and unvented gas fireplac- es. DOE has yet to establish that it has authority to regulate those products, Arena said. Moreover, the industry awaits issuance of a 'Final Determination of Covered Product' from DOE that may address numerous industry concerns. NPGA is working along with the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association to battle the proposal. The two groups believe that the proposal, by imposing a ban, is akin to establishing a design standard; a current statute prohibits establishment of a design standard for direct heating equip- ment. "We support DOE's effort for high-efficiency, energy conservation standards, but this covers products like out- door grills, outdoor fireplaces, decorative fire pits—things that people don't continuously keep running," Arena said. "So there are some practical concerns with the proposal as well." FUELS l F O N

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