Northeast during cold winter months but also helps families in Southern states during the heat of the summer, Midwestern families during sub-zero winter temperatures and summer tornadoes, and families in the West during periods of drought.
Benefits are applied to a family’ s utility bill based on their income eligibility, regardless of the utility they use. LIHEAP is no more a“ pass-through benefiting utilities” than food assistance is a pass-through for grocery stores, or the mortgage interest deduction is a passthrough for housing lenders. If the Trump Administration wants to strengthen protections for LIHEAP recipients, [ it ] should look to the Heating and Cooling Relief Act introduced by Senator Markey and Representative Ansari that expands consumer protections for households receiving LIHEAP and requires utilities to implement discounted utility rates based on household income.
Seasonal shut-off moratoriums that many states have put in place to protect families during periods of extreme temperatures only delay bill payment temporarily. After the moratorium ends, the bill is due. Families that could not afford to pay their bill during the shut-off moratorium will likely not be able to pay off the amount owed when the moratorium ends. Without LIHEAP stepping in to pay these bills, even more families would face shut-off conditions. In addition, moratoriums only apply to regulated gas and electric companies. They do not protect families whose energy comes from municipal or cooperative utilities or those that heat with delivered fuels like heating oil and propane.
• Finally, the Administration singles out the LIHEAP funding for New York and California based on a disagreement about state policy. However, more than half of LIHEAP funds go to states that voted for President Trump in 2024. If program funding were ended, millions of low-income families across the country – not just in New York and California – would struggle even more to pay their home energy bills.
� BECKETT ACQUIRES THERMO PRODUCTS
R. W. Beckett Corporation announced that it acquired Thermo Products, the manufacturer of Thermo Pride products.
Kevin Beckett, R. W. Beckett’ s CEO, called the acquisition“ a bold affirmation of our commitment to the future of liquid fuel combustion.”
The acquisition includes Thermo Products manufacturing facilities in Denton, NC, as well as Norwood Manufacturing in Norwood, NC. The Norwood facility enables immediate capabilities to provide sheet metal solutions for multiple applications and industries.
R. W. Beckett’ s support and service for its burner and component solutions is consistent with the company’ s strategic acquisitions of Delavan Nozzles and Westwood Products and its supply of critical components to the global burner market, the company said. Beckett and Thermo Pride said they look forward to launching a B100-capable high-efficiency furnace solution while exploring additional innovative technologies.
Tom Tubman, left, received a lifetime achievement award, and a standing ovation. Credit NEFI.
� OBITUARY: THOMAS J. TUBMAN
Thomas J. Tubman, a longtime executive in and advocate for the industry, died on May 11, the National Energy & Fuels Institute announced. He was 77. The following obituary, slightly edited for length, was published by NEFI:
Thomas J. Tubman was the first executive director of the American Energy Coalition and held that post from 2011 until his retirement in 2023, when he was recognized with one of the industry’ s highest honors – a lifetime achievement award.
Tubman was also an active and highly respected member of NEFI for many years. His contributions to the organization – and to the heating fuel industry as a whole – were both profound and enduring. A tireless advocate for Main Street energy companies, his leadership, integrity, and passion guided countless professionals and inspired those who worked alongside him.
“ Tom was a passionate and tireless champion for our industry, a trusted association colleague, and a beloved friend. He was at the forefront of communicating the true value that heating fuel businesses bring to their communities and customers. Through his work at AEC, he dedicated himself to ensuring that policymakers, the media, and the public understood our industry’ s contributions and worked to correct myths and misconceptions about who we are and what we do as an industry. His voice, leadership, and friendship will be greatly missed,” said NEFI President Jim Collura.
He was born on March 7, 1948. Tubman spent over five decades in the energy sector and held 11 professional licenses. He earned his engineering degree from Roger Williams College. He was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy A. Tubman. l FON
8 JUNE 2025 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www. fueloilnews. com