At the Visions ’ 24 conference in Weehawken , N . J ., from left : NYSEC CEO Rocco J . Lacertosa ; NEFI Vice President and Director of Government Affairs Jim Collura ; NEFI Senior Advisor Anne Steckel ; NORA President Michael Devine ; NEFI President and CEO Sean Cota ; Approved Wholesale Group Regional Sales Manager Dan Falcone . Image courtesy of NEFI .

According to a new analysis by Dr . Tom Butcher of the National Oilheat Research Alliance ( NORA ), the industry has surpassed its goal of reducing GHGs 15 % by 2023 , achieving a nearly 26 % reduction in greenhouse gas emissions through a combination of energy efficiency improvements and increased use of renewable fuels such as Bioheat Fuel , a blend of sustainable biodiesel with conventional home heating oil .

“ The heating oil industry has made significant strides in reducing its carbon footprint over the past five years ,” said Sean Cota , president and CEO of the industry ’ s Washington-based trade association , the National Energy & Fuels Institute ( NEFI ).

“ These mostly small , multi-generational family businesses are playing an outsized role in carbon reduction in the Northeast ,” Cota added . “ They will continue to prove pivotal in the years to come as governments at all levels seek to achieve ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals in a manner that is equitable and achievable , and that preserves energy security and reliability .”

At its industry summit , Visions ’ 24 , held April 30-May 1 in Weehawken , New Jersey , the industry highlighted a number of innovations , including :

• UL standards that recognize higher biofuel blends in oil-fired heating equipment

• Manufacturers introducing burners and heating systems to the market that are certified for blends of up to

100 % biodiesel ( B100 )

• New federal tax credits for homeowners who upgrade to more efficient oil-fired furnaces and boilers that are designed for use with higher blends of renewable fuels

• Securing federal grants for downstream biofuel infrastructure investments for heating oil

Working closely with state governments , heating oil state associations advocated for biofuel blending requirements in Connecticut , New York and Rhode Island that will eventually require blends as high as 50 percent . Additionally , heating oil blended with biofuels are expected to generate credits under emerging “ clean heat standards ” now being developed in Massachusetts and Vermont , and in the early stages of development in several other Northeast states .

Renewable fuels have proven to be an immediate , cost-effective , and equitable means of reducing emissions in the building sector , particularly for the nearly five million Northeast homes and businesses that rely on heating oil dealers for warmth and comfort each winter , industry groups said .

“ There is still work ahead , and we are ready for the challenge ,” said NEFI Board Chair Ray Hart , a full-service heating oil dealer based in Long Island , New York . “ This is an industry of hard-working American men and women that care deeply for their neighbors , their local communities , and the environment ,” he said . “ Together , we can achieve great heights .”

Established in 1942 , NEFI represents wholesale and retail liquid heating fuel distributors and related services companies . Its members are mostly small , multigenerational family businesses . NEFI hosts annual summits , such as the event in Weehawken , NJ , that provide an opportunity for stakeholders to gather and discuss pathways to voluntarily achieve carbon reduction goals consistent with industry commitments , including widespread deployment of renewable liquid heating fuels and high efficiency technologies . More at www . nefi . com .

Clean Fuels Alliance America is the U . S . trade association representing the biodiesel , renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel supply chain , including producers , feedstock suppliers and distributors of fuel made from a diverse mix of resources such as recycled cooking oil , soybean oil , and animal fats .

Clean Fuels receives funding from a broad mix of private companies and associations , including the United Soybean Board and state checkoff organizations . More at www . cleanfuels . org . Bioheat is a registered trademark of Clean Fuels Alliance America . l FON

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