FEATURED NEWS
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
NEFI ELECTS NEW
� LEADERSHIP
The National Energy & Fuels Institute announced the election of new officers and members of its Board of Directors during virtual meetings held on June 27 .
Ted Noonan of Noonan Energy in Springfield , Mass ., was elected chairperson of the board . Noonan succeeds Ray Hart of Hart Home Comfort in Oakdale , NY , who was presented with an inscribed keepsake in recognition of his outstanding leadership over the past two years , guiding the association through challenging times . Congressman
Ted Noonan
Andrew Garbarino ( R-NY-02 ), who represents Ray Hart ’ s district , joined to express gratitude for Hart ’ s exceptional work on behalf of the industry .
“ NEFI is in great hands with Ted Noonan as our new Chairperson ,” Hart said . “ Ted ’ s family has long been involved in NEFI , and his experience and dedication will undoubtedly lead us to continued success for both the organization and the broader industry .”
In addition to Noonan , officers for the 2024-2026 term include :
Vice Chairperson : Steve Walsh , Davis Oil & Propane ( Keene , NH )
Treasurer : Marty Kirshner , Gray , Gray & Gray ( Canton , MA )
Secretary : Claudette Townsend , Dead River Company ( Portland , ME )
Immediate Past Chair : Ray Hart , Hart Home Comfort ( Oakdale , NY )
Diane Quesnelle of the Energy Marketers Association of Rhode Island ( EMARI ) will serve as the chair of the NEFI Education Foundation . NEFI also welcomed several new members to its Board of Directors .
During the board meeting , Acting President and CEO Jim Collura presented a report highlighting NEFI ’ s recent accomplishments . This includes continued commitment to advancing the market for renewable liquid heating fuels ( RLHFs ) and protecting consumer choice through
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new federal legislation such as the Energy Choice Act , and preserving furnaces and boilers in the Energy Star program . “ Our retail and wholesale members – your businesses – are today delivering clean , reliable and increasingly sustainable fuels and home comfort services to millions of American families ,” Collura told the membership . “ You are playing a vital role in your communities and enhancing American energy security while supporting local economies and good paying jobs . This is a story NEFI continues to tell at every opportunity , and we believe that message is resonating with policymakers and the public .”
� UPDATE : MARIJUANA TESTING
A Department of Justice proposal to reschedule marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug will not impact the transportation industry ’ s ability to screen for marijuana , said the American Trucking Associations , citing what it called an “ assurance ” by Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg during a House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure hearing on June 27 .
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
AUGUST
Northeast Propane Show 2024 Aug . 14-15 DCU Center Worcester , Mass . Free for all attendees . Website : www . northeastpropaneshow . com
SEPTEMBER
Southern New England Energy Conference Sept . 23-24 Newport Marriott Newport , R . I . Website : www . sneec . weebly . com
Buttigieg directed his comments to Congressman Rick Crawford ( R-Arkansas ), who cited two letters that ATA sent to federal agencies seeking clarity on the policy shift , ATA said . The trade group said that such a policy shift could have negative consequences for highway safety .
“ We are grateful to Congressman Crawford for elevating this serious issue , and we appreciate Secretary Buttigieg ’ s focus on providing the transportation industry with the clarity it needs to continue screening for marijuana use among safety-sensitive transportation workers ,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear . “ If the trucking industry ’ s ability to conduct drug testing for marijuana use were to be restricted , a heightened risk of impaired drivers would threaten our nation ’ s roadways . DOT and ATA share the goals of achieving zero highway fatalities and ensuring the commercial driving workforce is qualified to safely operate , which is why we are committed to partnering with DOT to mitigate harmful impacts caused by the potential reclassification of marijuana .”
Marijuana and alcohol remain the most detected drugs in impaired driving crashes resulting in serious or fatal injuries , ATA said . Between 2000 and 2018 , crash deaths involving marijuana more than doubled , from 9 % to 21.5 %, ATA said .
ATA said , “ In response to Congressman Crawford ’ s line of questioning , Secretary
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