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10 DECEMBER 2016 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www.fueloilnews.com FUELS EIA NE WS NEW YORK CITY LAW REQUIRES B20 BY 2034 A new law in New York City sets a schedule for mandatory phased increases in biodiesel content in heating oil, ultimately requiring B20 throughout the city in 2034. T h e l a w r e q u i r e s t h e f o l l o w i n g i n c r e m e n t a l increases in the amount of biodiesel in heating oil sold in the city: to 5% by Oct. 1, 2017; to 10% in 2025; to 15% in 2030; and to 20% in 2034. The current level of biodiesel in heating oil sold in the city is 2%. Legislation to increase the biodiesel content was passed by the New York City Council on Sept. 28. Mayor Bill de Blasio signed the legislation on Oct. 18. U.S. AND CANADA IN PROJECT TO PRODUCE 'CLEAN HEAT AND POWER' FROM BIOMASS OR FOSSIL FUELS A clean heat and power demonstration project undertaken by the U.S. and Canada could have significant environmental and economic benefits, officials of both countries said. The project produces power from biomass or fossil fuels and has the poten- tial to capture 98% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, officials said in a statement. Natural Resources Canada's CanmetENERGY laboratory in Ottawa, Ontario, was chosen to host the project. Of the nearly US$12 million awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy to the Gas Technology Institute, CanmetENERGY received close to US$4.6 million for the project's construction and demonstration. Canada and the U.S. continue to cooperate on clean energy and climate change initiatives toward a low-carbon economy, the officials said in the statement. Both countries are among the founding members of Mission Innovation, an international partnership of 21 members that have all committed to doubling their investments in clean energy research and development. Kim Rudd, parliamentary secretary to Jim Carr, Canada's minister of natural resources, together with officials from the U.S. DOE, announced the demonstration project on Oct. 18 in Ottawa. "This project demonstrates the important role clean energy technologies play in our transition to a lower-carbon economy," Rudd said. IRVING OIL REACTIVATES HALIFAX HARBOR TERMINAL WITH $80 INVESTMENT Irving Oil announced the grand opening of its reactivated Halifax Harbor Terminal, in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The $80 million reactivation project involved investment in existing assets on site, including storage facili- ties, loading equipment, jetty, and supporting infrastructure. The ter- minal was operated in the Dartmouth community for nearly 50 years until its deactivation in 2002. In April 2015, Irving Oil announced it would reactivate the facility, enabling the storage and distribu- tion of gasoline, diesel, home heating oil, marine transportation fuel, and jet fuel for customers throughout Nova Scotia. "This is a great day for our company. We're committed to remaining competitive and firmly established here in Atlantic Canada by investing in our business, our people and our com- munities," Ian Whitcomb, president of Irving Oil, said in a statement. "I'm very pleased to see this Maritime company creating new jobs and re-investing in Nova Scotia," said Energy Minister Michel Samson. "This project will give a boost to our economy while making our gasoline and fuel oil supply more reliable." "Market conditions have changed a lot over the last several years in Nova Scotia and our investment reflects our confidence in, and commitment to, Nova Scotia as we continue to ensure a secure and reliable energy supply for the province," Mark Sherman, vice president and chief operating officer, said in a statement issued Oct. 20 by Irving Oil. The Halifax Harbor Terminal was a 100% privately funded project by Irving Oil, creating 200 construction jobs over 18 months. Also in Nova Scotia, Irving Oil is investing in its retail network, recently refurbishing its Enfield Big Stop and open- ing the Silver Dart, a new retail site at the Halifax International Airport. These investments complement other significant capital projects currently underway by Irving Oil, including an annual turnaround and construction of a new home office in Saint John, N.B., an enhanced marine terminal in St. John's, NL, and the recently acquired Whitegate refinery in Cork, Ireland. COMPARISON PRICING: CRUDE OIL TREND DRIVES U.K. HEATING OIL PRICES TO STEEPEST INCREASE IN SIX YEARS U.K. heating oil prices rose 16%, from an average of 34.40 pence per liter (including value-added tax) in September to 39.90PPL (including VAT) in October, according to data from BoilerJuice, an independent heating oil website. This represents the steepest monthly heating oil increase since the winter of 2010, making it the third biggest price hike on record, BoilerJuice reported in a news release dated Nov. 1. Over the same period, the price of crude increased by 8.5%, including a one-year high of $53.29 per barrel on Oct. 10. This is widely believed to be the most significant factor affecting heating oil prices, according to BoilerJuice. Approximately 1.5 million homes in the U.K. rely on heating oil to heat their homes. This increase could see the cost of 1,000 liters rise to £399 (based on the U.K. average), an additional £55 New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signs a bill that requires B20 by 2034. PHOTO COURTESY OF NATIONAL BIODIESEL BOARD