NORA EXTENDED INTO 2029
President Trump signed a ten-year extension for the National Oilheat Research Alliance , allowing NORA activities to run uninterrupted for the first time ever , the Alliance said . As a component of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 ( popularly known as the
Farm Bill ), NORA is authorized to extend its activities until February 6 , 2029 .
“ This was a great victory for the industry , as all previous extensions were limited to five years ,” NORA President John Huber said in a statement in which he praised efforts within the industry and by other partners who campaigned for the re-authorization . The president signed the Farm Bill on Dec . 20 .
“ NORA offers special thanks to the organizations and individuals in the heating oil industry that worked so hard and effectively to see this through ,” Huber said . “ The Petroleum Marketers Association of America ’ s ( PMMA ) family of associations was particularly effective . We had strong support in the Senate from Jeanne Shaheen ( N . H .), Patrick Leahy ( VT ), and Susan Collins ( ME ) who shepherded this through .
“ A number of House members instrumental throughout the process , including Paul Tonko ( N . Y .) and Peter Welch ( VT ), did outstanding work . Additionally , House Representatives and Senators from oilheat territory throughout the country also pitched
PHOTO CREDIT : © ISTOCK . COM / USCHOOLS in . Also , of importance were the strong relationships that the Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey brought . Of course , the team in Washington of PMAA , New England Fuel Institute and Squire Patton Boggs worked hard and smart throughout .”
As anticipated , the Congressional Budget Office ( the budget scoring agency for Congress ) has determined that NORA ’ s collections impact federal revenues and increase the federal deficit , the Alliance noted in its statement . As a remedy , NORA has been amended and will place 25 % of its income in escrow for ten years . These funds are not lost to the industry and will become available on October 1 , 2028 , the statement noted .
Tom Santa , NORA ’ s chairman at the time of the re-authorization , expressed his thanks to the industry and Congress . He noted that NORA provides industry empowerment and that being able to support the Alliance ’ s research and development lab in New York is critical . “ NORA ’ s passage is essential to the vitality of our industry ,” Santa noted .
Charlie Uglietto , NORA ’ s new chairman , stated that the passage of the bill provides the longest time frame for NORA yet . For the first time , NORA can look to a long-term horizon and not be planning to ramp up activities while planning for cessation of activities at the same time .
“ Now we are in a steady state of activity and can focus solely on improving execution of all of our functions ,” Uglietto said .
“ NORA is a vital program that funds the development of improved and efficient oilheat technology to increase safety and reduce consumer costs , Shaheen said in a statement posted on her official website .
“ NORA is a vital program that funds the development of improved and efficient oilheat technology to increase safety and reduce consumer costs .”
— U . S . SEN . JEANNE SHAHEEN ( N . H .)
18 FEBRUARY 2019 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www . fueloilnews . com