NEFI reported that it joined the Jobs and Careers Coalition (JCC) and other business-focused organizations in a letter to
House and Senate leaders requesting the reauthorization of the
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and that they use last year’s H. R. 6655, A Stronger Workforce for America Act, as the template for reauthorizing and reforming the nation’s public workforce system. According to the Dec. 16 issue of the National Energy & Fuels Institute’s newsletter to members, the letter stated:
“The past few years have been a turbulent economic time, but one thing has remained constant for our industries. Technological change is unstoppable, and it is transforming the American workplace, driving increased demand for skilled technical workers. The upshot for our businesses: persistent skills mismatches that hinder our ability to meet the needs of our customers or grow the economy.
The employers represented by our coalition saw H. R. 6655 as an important step forward to improve the effectiveness of the public workforce system, drive increased participation by employers, create opportunities for workers, and strengthen the U. S. economy.” For more, turn to Business Operations, page 14.
New York State Assembly Members Ed Ra and Jarett Gandolfo visited the National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA) Laboratory in Plainview, NY, in December for an in-depth briefing and tour focused on the future of low-carbon liquid heating fuels and advanced heating system technology. The visit highlighted the laboratory’s ongoing research into renewable liquid heating fuels, energy efficiency, combustion technology, and workforce training, said Rocco J. Lacertosa, CEO of the New York State Energy Coalition, who, along with Bob O’ Brien, NORA Director of Education, and Neehad Islam and Ryan Kerr, NORA Research Engineers, hosted the lawmakers. Also in attendance were NYSEC members Raymond and Jacqueline Hart from Hart Home Comfort, Bruce and Kent Fuhrmann from Swezey Fuel, and Tom Magno and Rich Massa from Northville Industries. Assembly Members were shown firsthand how NORA’s initiatives are supporting New York State’s climate and energy goals while ensuring that homeowners who rely on liquid heating systems have reliable, increasingly sustainable options. For more on the visit, turn to State by State (page 13).
Energy Marketers of America (EMA) is receiving reports from energy marketers that they are once again experiencing delays in the processing of federal motor fuel excise tax (FET) ultimate vendor claims for sales of clear, tax-excluded diesel fuel to state and local governments.
In response, as reported in the Pennsylvania Petroleum Association’s Express Update, EMA sent a letter dated Dec. 19, 2025, to Acting IRS Commissioner Scott Bessent expressing concern over the delays and asking for a return to timely processing as soon as possible. EMA emphasized that many small business energy marketer operations could be disrupted if the delays are not resolved quickly. The PPA said it also received reports from membership on this issue and has engaged in working with congressional leadership to resolve the matter on a caseby-case basis. For more, turn to the News section, beginning on page 6. l FON