Fuel Oil News

Fuel Oil News November 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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PENNSYLVANIA DEP Reminds Pennsylvanians to Maintain Home Heating Oil Tanks On the first day of autumn, the Department of Environmental Protection offered the following, encouraging residents to take precautions before filling their home heating oil tanks. It noted that poorly maintained or leaking home heating oil tanks can pose a fire risk, diminish indoor air quality or contaminate groundwater. One in five Pennsylvania homes uses heating oil to stay warm in the winter. Owners of home heating oil tanks should consider inspecting indoor and outdoor home heating oil tanks for potential problems prior to refilling them. Preventing leaks will save owners energy and money, in addition to protecting owners' health. Cleaning up a spill caused by a heating oil tank can cost up to $50,000 and may not be covered by homeowner's insurance. Homeowners can check with their insurance provider to see whether coverage is available. DEP encourages homeowners to consider these tips: For safety reasons, always assume the tank contains at least some oil; Routinely inspect the exterior of the tank and all attached equipment; Check for signs of rusting on the tank and its structural supports; Examine the tank's fill line and feed line to the furnace for leaks; Never tip over or empty a tank onto the ground; Enlist a professional to perform maintenance or alterations to a heating oil tank system; and Recognize that wet spots or odors near the tank may signal a problem. When fuel is delivered, make certain that the home address is clearly visible and the tank's fill line is clearly marked. If a resident cannot be home when fuel oil is delivered, mark the fill pipe with a red flag or marker and inform the oil company of the location. Ensure that any disconnected fill pipes are permanently sealed and cannot be opened. Residents who think their oil tank may have a problem should immediately contact their oil company for help. From PPA: Court Decision May Impact Ultra Low-Sulfur Fuel Oil The federal Third Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled the air pol- lution control plan Pennsylvania submitted in 2010 to meet U.S. Environmental Protection haze pollution control requirements was insufficient. The plan included the ultra-low sulfur fuel oil regulation pro- posed in 2010 and adopted in 2012. The court decision said Pennsylvania did not require coal- burning power plants and industrial facilities to install the best available pollution control technologies. The court found that Pennsylvania's calculations supporting its "State Implementation Plan" — a document that is supposed to assess emissions sources and establish a plan to reduce them — was so lacking in specifics that it provided no justification for the EPA's decision to approve the plan. "Because we, as a reviewing court, need an agency to show its work before we can accept its conclusions," Judge Thomas Vanaskie wrote in the opinion, "we will remand this case to the EPA for further consideration." The court appeal was filed by Earthjustice on behalf of the Sierra Club, the Clean Air Council and the National Parks Conservation Association. PPA is consulting with counsel to determine the impact of this ruling on the 500 ppm ultra-low sulfur fuel oil standard due to go into effect in Pennsylvania on July 1, 2016. We are also exploring the opportunity this may provide to promote the adoption of a 15 ppm sulfur standard. STATE BY STATE N E W S 10 NOVEMBER 2015 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www.fueloilnews.com

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