NEFI Responds to Massachusetts CHS
The National Energy & Fuels Institute submitted comments to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection on its proposed Clean Heat Standard ( CHS ).
“ The most troubling item in the Massachusetts CHS is that heating fuel dealers will be required to convert a minimum of 3 percent of their homes to electric heat each year ,” NEFI said in the May 9 issue of NEFI Energy Online News ( NEON ), its weekly newsletter to members . “ We believe this idea is outrageous and , as noted in our comment letter , outright unconstitutional .”
NEFI said it submitted comments at the request of Michael Ferrante of the Massachusetts Energy Marketers Association ( MEMA ), and said it would continue to support MEMA ’ s efforts .
The Massachusetts CHS is just one of many challenges the industry faces , the Institute pointed out : “ Vermont ’ s version of the CHS was vetoed by its Governor , but that veto is likely to be overturned by the Legislature . In New York , the recently passed budget bans fossil fuel burning equipment and systems in new buildings beginning January 1 , 2026 . On a federal level , the Department of Energy ’ s Heat Pump Defense Production Act will funnel approximately $ 250 million to boost electric heat pump manufacturing .”
Here are edited extracts from the NEFI comments , dated May 1 , and addressed to Bonnie Heiple , Commissioner , Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection :
We write to express our concern that the proposed CHS will significantly harm small home energy providers and their employees and customers throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the broader New England region . While well intended , the program as envisioned by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection ( MassDEP ) will increase harmful emissions , substantially increase home energy costs , and disadvantage vulnerable communities . We urge the Commonwealth to abandon its planned elimination of our small family businesses and work with them - not against them - to find common-sense , low-cost solutions for building decarbonization , including the deployment of renewable liquid heating fuels .
The National Energy & Fuels Institute ( NEFI ), formerly the New England Fuel Institute , based in Wilmington , Massachusetts , has represented wholesale and retail distributors of liquid heating fuels and related services companies since 1942 .
These businesses safely and reliably deliver warmth and comfort to nearly six million homes across the United States , including 662,000 homes in the Commonwealth alone .
Of the five billion gallons of heating oil and renewable liquid heating fuels used on average in the United States each winter , 85 % is utilized by homes and businesses in the Northeast from Maryland to Maine .
Most of our retail members , often referred to as “ heating fuel dealers ,” are small , multigenerational family-owned-andoperated businesses with an average of 28 full-time equivalent employees .
NEFI represents both fuel delivery and larger “ full service ” businesses that sell , install , and service residential and commercial HVAC systems , including liquid fuel ( i . e ., oil- and biofuel-fired ) and gas furnaces , boilers , and water heaters . Many also sell , install , and service electric air source heat pumps ( ASHPs ) and heat pump water heaters .
Unlike utilities , our members personally deliver heating fuels and related services to the home . As a result , they often have a personal relationship with their most loyal customers and are actively engaged in the communities they serve .
About Renewable Liquid Heating Fuels . NEFI members in Massachusetts and throughout the Northeast are actively working to replace conventional home heating oil with renewable fuels to reduce greenhouse gas ( GHG ) emissions , support local economies , and contribute to the region ’ s energy and environmental security . Many are blending ultra-low sulfur heating oil with biodiesel , commonly branded as Bioheat Fuel , with up to 74 % lower GHG emissions on average than conventional petroleum .
Biodiesel is produced from an array of sustainable feedstocks , including recycled cooking oils and fats and surplus vegetable oils . Other advanced biofuels , including renewable diesel , are suitable for use in space heating applications , and cellulosic biofuels are in development that are designed to replace conventional petroleum-based home heating oil . One example is ethyl levulinate ( EL ), a net-negative carbon heating fuel that utilizes feedstocks found in abundance throughout the Northeast including sustainably harvested wood products , municipal solid waste , and forestry and agricultural residues .
On March 20 , 2023 , the Town of Lincoln , Maine approved a 20-year lease for a $ 100 million EL biorefinery located at a former mill site . It is estimated this multi-phase project will eventually create up to 500 jobs in New England and ultimately produce more than 30 million gallons of what will be the “ single lowest carbon-intensity liquid fuel commercially available anywhere in the world .”
Renewable liquid heating fuels , including Bioheat Fuel , renewable diesel , and EL offer an immediate “ plug and play ” solution that utilizes existing and well-regulated storage and
10 JUNE 2023 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www . fueloilnews . com