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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12 FEBRUARY 2017 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www.fueloilnews.com FUELS EIA NE WS AEC RELEASES FIVE INFORMATIONAL FLYERS FOR FUEL OIL MARKETERS TO USE The American Energy Coalition released five new data sheets in support of the AEC mission to promote the benefits of oilheat compared to natural gas. Each of the data sheets addresses a dif- ferent topic, consistent with the "key words" and "key phrases" that are part of the Coalition's Google Pay Per Click Campaign. Specifically, the data sheet topics are: 1. "The Real Cost To Convert"—about hidden conversion costs and the potential savings in upgrading existing oilheat systems instead 2. "Heating Oil Has Greater Value"—about heating oil prices being down at a time when natural gas prices are on the rise and the likelihood this trend will continue 3. "Don't Get Zapped By The Utilities"—about higher elec- tric rates being driven by the increased use of natural gas for electric generation and limited gas pipeline infrastructure 4. "Today's New Heating Oil: Bioheat Fuel"—about the environmental benefits of biodiesel and ultra low sulfur heating oil, with ULSHO with a 2% biodiesel component being cleaner burning than natural gas 5. "Unsafe Gas Leaks Are Everywhere"—about pipeline safety and the dangers it poses to people and property; the environmental dangers of fugitive methane; and, the cost to consumers resulting from lost and unaccounted for gas The data sheets can be viewed and or downloaded from the AEC website: http://americanenergycoalition.org/ and selecting the "Member Resources" tab, or by visiting this web address: http://americanenergycoalition.com/aec-data-sheets. The AEC will use the data sheets for a variety of purposes, but primarily to be sent via the automated reply system to any Google Searcher requesting more information from the AEC Pay Per Click landing pages. The data sheets should also prove to be a valuable resource for retailers, customer service representative and front line personnel when discussing these subjects with homeowners. AFPM PETITIONS FOR WAIVER OF 2016 CELLULOSIC BIOFUEL VOLUMETRIC REQUIREMENTS American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM), in Washington, D.C., filed a petition requesting that EPA waive the 2016 RFS cellulosic volumes to avoid "phantom fuel" com- pliance payments arising from a shortfall in 2016 cellulosic production. AFPM estimated that a favorable decision on its petition would reduce payments for "non-existent" fuels by $50 million to $75 million. The (AFPM) said it submitted the petition requesting the EPA to waive the required volumes of cellulosic biofuels for the 2016 compliance year "due to an inadequate domestic supply of such fuel." The petitioning letter, dated Dec. 28, 2016, was from Richard Moskowitz, general counsel of the manufacturers' group, to Gina McCarthy, administrator of the EPA. Below are edited excerpts with some references and notes deleted due to space considerations (readers who wish to read the letter in its com- plete form can do so at the AFPM website, www.afpm.org): "AFPM…members produce virtually all the refined petroleum products and petrochemicals manufactured in the United States and are obligated parties under EPA's RFS. AFPM's refining mem- bers are adversely impacted by EPA's overestimate of 2016 cellulosic biofuel production and are unable to acquire the requisite amount of cellulosic biofuel Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) to comply with EPA's 2016 cellulosic mandate under the RFS." The letter also states: "…The Clean Air Act requires EPA to act on this petition within 90 days and we respectfully request an expeditious deci- sion because cellulosic biofuel waiver credits for 2016 must be purchased and RFS compliance must be assured on or before March 30, 2017. "We recognize the time necessary for EPA to comply with its obligation to solicit public comment on the merits of this petition and therefore request that the Agency defer the require- ment to purchase cellulosic biofuel waiver credits for 2016 until EPA can formally act on this Petition. Given the clear shortfall in cellulosic biofuels produced in 2016 and prior precedent, it is not reasonable to require the purchase of cellulosic cred- its while EPA solicits public comment and consults with the Departments of Agriculture and Energy." PLASTIC-TO-OIL MARKET EXPECTED TO BOOM Diesel production took up the largest share of the plastic-to-oil market in 2015 due to rising demand for diesel in the boom- ing transportation sector in developing economies, according to a study by market intelligence firm Transparency Market Research, Albany, N.Y. Transparency Market Research (TMR) said its study pro- vides detailed analysis of the global recycled plastic and plastic waste-to-oil market. The various product and regional segments of the market are examined in the report in order to provide a 360-degree overview of the industry. The report is titled "Recycled Plastic & Plastic Waste to Oil Market Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth Trends and Forecast 2016 – 2024" and is available for sale on TMR's official website. The report is primarily driven by the rising need to find sus- tainable unconventional sources of oil, the research firm said. Since plastics are derived from petroleum, they can be recon- stituted to obtain oil. This process has become vital in today's environmental scenario, with the rising volume of plastic waste becoming a major ecological concern in several regions around the world, the research firm said. Converting this and other recycled plastic into oil would help solve the ecological problems caused by it and assuage the rising problem of scarcity of oil, according to the research firm.