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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The heating season of 2015-2016 is proving hard to predict. Unseasonably warm temperatures and the low cost of home heating oil is leaving many oil companies guessing what the rest of the winter will be like. Mother Nature and time will only tell… Rhode Island seems to be starting to enjoy more economic stability. The unemployment rate is more in line with the rest of the country at 5.2% as reported in November 2015. (Bureau of Labor Statistics/US Dept of Labor). Governor Raimondo has made job creation her top priority her in RI, but some disagree with her bridge infrastructure and job creation plan "Rhode Works". The plan was unveiled in June just before the end of the legislative session. Rhode Works is the governor's solution to the decrepit bridge crisis we have here in Rhode Island by installing tolling gantries on certain roadways in Rhode Island which would toll Class 8 and above trucks. While most fuel oil delivery trucks will not be tolled obviously there are trucks in our industry partner's fleets that will be subject to the tolls. The Governor as well as top legislators would like some form of the plan approved in the early part of 2016 legislative session. The RI Trucking Association as well as the Stop Tolls RI have launched campaigns to prevent tolls in Rhode Island from becoming a reality. More information can be found on these websites: www. ritrucking.org www.tollfreeinterstates.com and www.stoptollsri. com for up to date information. Rhode Island along with the other New England states partici- pated in the largest oil heat consumer research study conducted by Warm Thoughts Communications. The study revealed hard truths about our customer base, their attitudes toward oil heat, inten- tion to convert as well as their understanding about Bioheat. The study exhibits that our industry has an opportunity to slow down the conversation rate by educating and promoting the benefits of the advanced fuel that is now being sold in most New England states. Here in Rhode Island we have the greatest challenge, where the rate of conversion to Natural Gas is the highest compared to our neighboring states. At the same time our Biodiesel Mandate gives us a greater advantage to promote the benefits of staying with oil heat – higher efficiency, cleaner burning, and domesti- cally produced low sulfur heating oil with a 3% blend of biodiesel in every gallon. Throughout the month of January and February the Oil Heat Institute of RI will be running a radio campaign as well as a print advertisement campaign to remind our customers why sticking with oil heat is the smart, efficient, economical and environmentally friendly way to heat their homes. The Oil Heat Institute will also be offering more contin- ued educational programs. NORA funds were utilized to offset tuition for a Basic Oil Heat 160 hour course that ran July – December at the New England Institute of Technology. Students also qualified for the RI Workforce development grant to further offset the cost tuition. In November a free course was offered to members and their employees, "Keeping your customers with oil heat". The course took data collected from the Warmthoughts Consumer Research study to illustrate and communicate the benefits of sticking with oil heat. It was a half day quick refresher course that aimed to give our employees the tools and information they need to positively interact with and retain customers. In the late spring 2016 OHI will be offering the Pipe Fitters II class and a workshop for our front line Customer Service Technicians. Lastly our new website will be launched in the coming weeks. The updated site will be more of an educational and resource tool for our members as well as the consumers we serve. Highlights of the new site will be an interactive dealer's page, a savings calcula- tor, conservation tips, and links to other helpful websites. Visit www.warmth4ri.com in mid-January to see the new changes! RIP Joseph J Loeb The Hudson valley Oil & Energy Council passed along the following sad news: JOSEPH J LOEB Jan. 5, 1942 – Dec. 23, 2015 Joseph J Loeb, a Navy Veteran and a retired Oilman, entered into rest on Wednesday Dec. 23, 2015. He has been reunited with his wife Charlene, the love of his life. Joe and Charlene were married Dec. 2, 1962. Joe was known for his colorful suits and white shoes while tending bar at LaMonica's in Goshen. Never was there an individual that met Joe that didn't instantly like him. His quick wit and sense of humor were infectious. Joe spent 25 years in the oil business, cutting his teeth with Belcher Oil. Joe is predeceased by his wife of 49 years, Charlene, his grand- son Michael, and his son in law Kevin as well as his mother and father, Joseph and Agnes Loeb. Joe will be missed by his five grandchildren, Andrew, Aidan, Taylor, Hannah, Alexander, and his loving children Tracy, Dennis and Keith and his wife Sandy. Joe spent many years volunteering for Middletown Town Little League, baseball was his passion. Joe and Charlene loved the Caribbean and will be reunited in a ceremony in St. Maarten in early 2016. l F O N 14 FEBRUARY 2016 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www.fueloilnews.com The Hudson valley Oil & Energy Council passed along the following sad news: 2015. He has been reunited with his wife osep oeb STATE BY STATE NEWS