their behalf .”
The state is asking that the Court require the defendants to pay for both past and future climate harms caused by the defendants , a figure which continues to rise each day , and to require the defendants to cease their ongoing deception in Maine . The state demands a jury trial and seeks relief through damages , penalties , abatement , and disgorgement of profits .
� UPDATE : PROPOSED CHS IN VERMONT
In January , Vermont ’ s Public Utility Commission is scheduled to deliver a proposed Clean Heat Standard to the legislature , according to The Fuel Line , the newsletter of the Vermont Fuel Dealers Association . In early December , the PUC published a draft document that sets firstyear obligations for “ Obligated Parties ” under a potential Clean Heat Standard . The Dec . 13 issue of The Fuel Line noted that the credit obligation for each company in this draft memo represents fuel brought into Vermont in 2023 .
“ If the CHS became law , the first payment would occur in 2026 and would reflect gallons sold in 2024 ,” the newsletter said . However , the newsletter also reported that the PUC acknowledged the data in its draft report was inaccurate , an example being fuel dealer registration data , according to the newsletter . “ It ’ s not just fuel delivered by truck ,” the newsletter reported . “ Every retail store that sells kerosene or propane from a stationary pump or in a canister must register . Based on publicly available lists , the PUC ’ s compliance rate is less than 30 %.”
� PPA LAUNCHES ‘ ENERGY CHOICE PA ’ CAMPAIGN
The Pennsylvania Petroleum Association announced the launch of “ Energy Choice PA ” a campaign to educate consumers about energy policy and regulation issues . “ We need our customers – and those who use other energy sources – to understand what electrification really means ,” PPA said in a December email announcing the new campaign . “ To understand the economic impact of EV mandates and carbon taxes . And to recognize the strides that our industry has made in achieving broad carbon reduction .”
The foundation of the campaign is EnergyChoicePA . com , developed by Warm Thoughts Communications and guided by the PPA Board of Directors . Also coming : a Dealer Toolkit of materials and collateral that fuel marketers can use to message customers . The tools are designed to make it easy for marketers to messages customers , engage with them about the issues , drive them to the website and enlist them to reach out to legislators and voice their concerns about specific legislation and regulation .
A state-wide webinar is scheduled for February 4 , 2025 at 9:00 a . m . Campaign contacts are Ted Harris at tharris @ papetroleum . org and Rich Carrione of Warm Thoughts Communications at rcarrione @ warmthoughts . com .
� MAINE COALITION LAUNCHES ‘ ENERGY CHOICE ’
A bipartisan coalition launched ‘ Maine Energy Choice ,’ a campaign advocating for Mainers ’ right to choose their heating options for homes and businesses . State Senators Joe Baldacci ( D ) and Trey Stewart ( R ), alongside Maine Energy Marketers Association President Charlie Summers , announced the initiative at Dysart ’ s in Bangor . The coalition formed in response to potential state and federal legislation that could limit the use of heating oil , natural gas , and other energy sources .
Polling shows that 87 % of Maine voters oppose legislation that restricts their heating choices , the coalition said . Senator Stewart questioned if limiting energy options serves a broader agenda rather than the interests of Maine residents , while Senator Baldacci emphasized that Maine can support renewable energy incentives without mandating costly choices that may not be affordable for everyone , especially
given current inflation concerns . Mainers overwhelmingly want to choose their home and business energy source , the coalition said in a statement in October . According to a 2024 Digital Research Inc . poll , more than 8 out of 10 voters believe that state government should allow Mainers to choose how they heat their homes and businesses , the coalition said .
Maine Energy Marketers Association President and CEO Charles Summers said , “ Energy choice is critical to ensuring that Mainers are able to afford to heat their homes and businesses . With rising costs in nearly everything we need to purchase to maintain a decent quality of life , Mainers should not be forced to buy one type of expensive heating source .” Note : This news item reprints material written by Meghan Sylvester of the Maine Energy Marketers Association and posted on the MEMA website .
� WOHLER WIRELESS HD INSPECTION CAMERA
The new Wöhler SI 400 Wireless Inspection Camera transmits live photos and videos from flues , air ducts or chimneys to a mobile phone or tablet using the Smart Inspection App which is free to download . The wireless inspection camera fits all equipment with M5 or M10 thread . The App allows you to use a smartphone as a screen for transmitting image and video data via WiFi . Wohler USA . Tel .: + 1 978 750 9876 . E-Mail : info @ wohlerusa . com .
CEMA HOLIDAY PARTY
The Connecticut Energy Marketers Association held its holiday party at Aqua Turf in Plantsville , Connecticut . Attendees at the Dec . 10 event contributed toys to the U . S . Marine Corps ’ Toys for Tots campaign . Credit Stephen Bennett / Fuel Oil News . l FON
8 JANUARY 2025 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www . fueloilnews . com