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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14 NOVEMBER 2016 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www.fueloilnews.com T hese days, just about everyone in the fuel oil business may feel burdened by some kind of environmental challenge—from proper contain- ment and transportation of fuels to understanding alternative fuel options. The industry faces pressures from environmentalists, government regulators, and customers to change their products and processes to better accommodate these earth-sensitive times. In fact, a fresh focus on products, such as biodiesel, is a sign that environmental considerations can be more than just "green" business. They can be good business. Advancements in alternative fuels have taken the fuel oil industry by storm. Amid ongoing marketing and education efforts, fuel dealers and consumers are vetting these alternative fuels and determining their viability for both commercial and consumer use. Biodiesel, especially, has grown dramatically over the last 15 years. According to Michael Devine, who handles business development for Amerigreen Energy, a privately held company in Lancaster, Pa., the U.S. a dozen years ago produced about 10 to 15 million gallons of biodiesel GOING GREEN WITH BIODIESEL fuel. Today, the country produces over two bil- lion gallons. Simply defined, biodiesel is made from a vari- ety of feedstocks such as recycled cooking oil, soybean oil and animal fats. Biodiesel is a renew- able, clean-burning diesel replacement and is the first and only commercial-scale fuel produced across the U.S. to meet the EPA's definition as an Advanced Biofuel—which means it is a fuel that reduces greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50% when compared with petroleum diesel, Devine says. Biodiesel is winning acceptance in mining and marine markets as well as fuel oil, Devine says. In September, Devine shared his insights on the growth of biodiesel in a presentation enti- tled, "Going Green by Selling Biodiesel" at the Southern New England Energy Conference in Newport, R.I. There are several reasons for the growth of biodiesel, Devine says, including that it is domes- Biodiesel is winning acceptance in mining and marine markets as well as fuel oil, an expert says By Maura Keller NORA's mission includes consumer education. The graphic above is designed to tell consum- ers that oilheat is clean, safe and efficient. ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF NORA