STEPHEN BENNETT
Progress Toward Net-Zero
The Northeast heating oil industry says it is on track to achieve the ambitious goals set forth in the Providence Resolution , a landmark commitment made in 2019 to voluntarily reduce greenhouse gas emissions . The resolution , which was unanimously approved by over 300 industry leaders , calls for a 15 % reduction in greenhouse gas ( GHG ) emissions by 2023 , a 40 % reduction by 2030 , and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 .
“ The heating oil industry has made significant strides in reducing its carbon footprint over the past five years ,” said Sean Cota , participating as president and CEO of the industry ’ s Washington-based trade association , the National Energy & Fuels Institute . ( Cota ’ s resignation , for personal reasons , was announced about two weeks after the group ’ s Visions ’ 24 Industry Summit , held April 30-May 1 .)
“ These mostly small , multi-generational family businesses are playing an outsized role in carbon reduction in the Northeast ,” Cota said . “ 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 .”
“ 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 .”
The National Energy & Fuel Institute ( NEFI ) and Oilheat Manufacturers Association ( OMA ) said they endorsed the U . S . Environmental Protection Agency ’ s draft Energy Star Furnace Specification that incentivizes high-efficiency , biofuel compatible furnaces .
“ The fact that the EPA decided to keep oil ( liquid fuel ) systems in ENERGY STAR at all is a major win ,” NEFI said in the May 21 issue of its newsletter , NEFI Energy Online News . “ Rather than cut oil furnaces from the program as initially proposed last year , the EPA suggests increasing the minimum efficiency from 85 to 87 AFUE . What ’ s more , the agency has embraced NEFI and OMA ’ s suggestion that the ENERGY STAR specification be linked to biofuel compatibility , not unlike the home efficiency tax credit in the Inflation Reduction Act .” The other big news from NEFI is the appointment of Jim Collura as acting president and CEO , following the resignation of Sean Cota for personal reasons . “ Sean guided us with vision , leadership , and dedication ,” said NEFI Board Chair Ray Hart of Hart Home Comfort . “ We are immensely grateful for his contributions and wish him the best in his future endeavors .” Collura most recently served as NEFI
At the Visions ’ 24 conference in Weehawken , N . J ., from left : Rocco J . Lacertosa , CEO , NYSEC ; Jim Collura , then NEFI Vice President and Director of Government Affairs , now Acting President and CEO ; NEFI Senior Advisor Anne Steckel ; NORA President Michael Devine ; then NEFI President and CEO Sean Cota ; Approved Wholesale Group Regional Sales Manager Dan Falcone . Image courtesy of NEFI .
4 JUNE 2024 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www . fueloilnews . com
Vice President . During more than 18 years with the association , he spearheaded its government program and related communications efforts . NEFI ’ s Executive Committee will now begin searching for and recommending to the Board of Directors a candidate to serve as a permanent president and CEO . l FON
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