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Inventories of distillate fuel oil in the U.S. East Coast are higher now than they have been in the previous three years, reaching 59 million barrels on September 18. Most of the recent increase is in the Central Atlantic region, but inventories are also higher in New England and in the Lower Atlantic, compared with previous late- September levels. Heating oil, a type of distillate fuel oil, is used as a space heating or water heating fuel in about eight million U.S. households, almost all of which are in the Northeast. In the Northeast, 27% of households use heating oil for space heating, while nationwide only 6% of households use heating oil, based on data from EIA's lat- est Residential Energy Consumption Survey. The East Coast region (Petroleum Administration for Defense District, or PADD 1) generally holds about 30% to 50% of the nation's distillate fuel oil inventory. These inventory levels fluc- Principal contributor: T. Mason Hamilton FUELS EIA N E W S East Coast Distillate Fuel Oil Inventories Higher Than In Recent Years Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Weekly Petroleum Status Report applying a preventive measure, a distance of one meter between a next-generation meter and a propane tank does not present a risk of explosion." In addition, the report mentions that scenarios in which there is a leak, be it during tank filling or during regular use "show no seepage of propane into the socket or the meter. The only sce- narios in which propane seeped into the socket or the meter are those in which the regulator malfunctions or fails." Doing the tests with the preventive measures in place showed that the flammability level was never reached under these conditions. Further to the filing of these reports, Hydro-Québec has submitted a request to the Régie du bâtiment du Québec to have next-generation meters treated the same as traditional meters, which can be located one meter from propane tanks accord- ing to standards in effect. Until the Régie renders its decision, the remote service interruption function on next-generation meters will remain inactive for all non- compliant installations. The researchers recommend orient- ing the pressure regulator in the direction opposite the meter. Another possibility is to install a pipe to direct the regulator out- let towards the ground. The CRIQ report states that "this solution requires very little time to implement. Pressure regulators on the market are compatible with diversion pipes." REGISTER FOR THE 2016 NATIONAL BIODIESEL CONFERENCE & EXPO Key players of the biodiesel industry are gathering this January in Tampa for the 2016 National Biodiesel Conference & Expo, and you need to be there. It's a criti- cal time for biodiesel, and coming together as one industry, from coast-to-coast, only makes us stronger. Learn about the latest technical developments, hear insights from industry leaders, and gain a broad perspec- tive on regulations affecting biodiesel. Seize the opportunities that the biggest biodiesel event of the year has to offer. Register today at www.BiodieselCon- ference.org. PROPANE COUNCIL DONATES $30,000 TO SCHOOLS DRIVING PROPANE BUSES School buses already make up the largest share of mass transportation in the U.S. and are the safest mode of transportation to and from school. This year, however, the yellow bus is getting an upgrade. More than 500,000 students will ride a school bus powered by the alternative fuel propane this back-to-school season. The Propane Education & Research Council's donation will benefit teach- ers at seven schools this fall, including Lilla G. Frederick Pilot Middle School in Massachusetts; Kyrene Monte Vista in Arizona; Broward Education Foundation in Florida; Wilkes Elementary in Oregon; Five Star Education Foundation in Colorado; St. Francis Elementary in Minnesota; and Friendswood Jr. High in Texas. 14 NOVEMBER 2015 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www.fueloilnews.com