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D A T E L I NE API HAILS CONGRESSIONAL EFFORT TO ADDRESS FRAUD IN RENEWABLE FUEL CREDIT PROGRAM The American Petroleum Institute (API) welcomed bipartisan legislation intro- duced by Representatives Pete Olson (R-Tex.) and Gene Green (D-Tex.) that it said would fix "major flaws" in the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) renewable fuel credit program. "This is a problem EPA could have, and should have, resolved by now," said API President and CEO Jack Gerard. "EPA's failure to act quickly could raise the cost of making fuels in the United States, and it's time for Congress to provide a solution." EPA has uncovered more than 140 mil- lion invalid renewable fuel credits, known as RINs, generated by three biodiesel companies, representing between 5 and 12 percent of the biodiesel market, the Institute said in a Sept. 20 statement. Refiners that purchased credits from biodiesel companies that were suppos- edly approved by EPA – but later found to be fraudulent – have been subject to EPA fines and penalties and must pur- chase new credits, according to API. "The current system is unworkable and could potentially undermine the entire renewable fuel standard," said Gerard. "This legislation requires EPA to pro- vide safeguards for refiners that purchase certified credits in good faith so they can begin purchasing credits to comply with next year's biofuel requirements." API represents more than 500 companies in the oil and natural gas industry. LIHEAP COVERED AT 2012 LEVELS THROUGH MARCH 31, 2013 U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) and Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island) expressed their encouragement that the continuing resolution, which would fund the fed- eral government for six months, includes language that would provide states Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding at last year's level. Senators Snowe and Reed secured lan- FEATURED NEWS API hails congressional effort LIHEAP covered at 2012 levels AHRI applauds relief measures AHRI heating and cooling equipment data ICPA/OHIRI joint meeting Oil Heat Cares' new website EDOS new hires Giant Factories and Rinnai partner Hydrolevel promoting boiler reset guage in the continuing resolution (CR) to be voted on by the U.S. House and Senate over the next several days that specifies the administration shall allocate funding at last year's levels. Should the CR pass and be signed into law, LIHEAP will be funded at a minimum level of $3.478 nationally. Without the language, the program could have been reduced to as little as $2.82 billion dur- ing the winter months. Senators Snowe and Reed remain committed to urging Congress and the administration to pro- vide additional funding for the program given last year's total was a drastic cut from the year before. "The funding Senator Reed and I were able to secure in the Continuing Resolution for LIHEAP this winter will certainly help the many families who will struggle to pay heating bills as colder temperatures arrive," said Senator Snowe. "While we have ensured LIHEAP cannot face a draconian cut in funding from last year's level, we in Congress must continue to work to find additional funding for the program. With heating oil prices as high as $3.80 per gallon in Maine, the program remains well-below the level it should be to ensure the most vulnerable Mainers can stay warm during our harsh winter at a time." "LIHEAP is a proven, cost-effective program that provides critical heating assistance for those in need. I am pleased we were able to provide a measure of certainty to ensure states can get their LIHEAP funding this winter and I will continue working to ensure we need to do everything we can to help protect our most vulnerable citizens," said Senator Reed. Supporting the move, 15 governors and 137 and House members sign bipar- tisan letters asking that LIHEAP funding be included on the CR. AHRI APPLAUDS SENATE PASSAGE OF REGULATORY RELIEF MEASURES The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (Arlington, Va.) has applauded the Senate's unani- mous consent passage of H.R. 4850, the Enabling Energy Saving Innovations Act. H.R. 4850, as amended by the Senate, contains regulatory relief mea- sures for manufacturers of water heaters, small duct-high velocity equipment, and service-over–the-counter commercial refrigerators. A last minute compromise between Senator Jeff Bingaman (NM), chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Senator Rob Portman (OH) saved the legisla- tion from withering under the weight of Senate procedure. "We are grateful to Chairman Bingaman for his incredible efforts to pass this legislation before the end of the legis- lative session," said AHRI President and CEO Stephen Yurek. "The cooperation between Senators Bingaman and Portman is an example for their colleagues in the House. We look forward to working with House sponsors to expeditiously pass the Enabling Energy Saving Innovations Act and get it signed into law." AHRI RELEASES JUNE AND JULY 2012 U.S. HEATING AND COOLING EQUIPMENT SHIPMENT DATA The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) is the trade association representing manufacturers of air conditioning, heating, and commercial refrigeration equipment. AHRI provides www.fueloilnews.com | FUEL OIL NEWS | OCTOBER 2012 3