EDITORIAL STAFF
STEPHEN BENNETT
Daring to Be Different
“ We work hard – it ’ s in our blood – and we ’ re always looking for ways to grow and diversify ,” said Yolanda Cortese , president of New England Total Energy , based in Greenwich , Conn . Yolanda represents the second generation to operate the company ; her son Frank is the third generation .
The company went into the oil delivery business in 1939 . Today , NETE strives to meet much broader customer needs and expectations . “ We want to be able to offer ‘ the whole package ’ for our customers ,” said Frank . “ So that when a need arises with mechanical or HVAC system or – better yet – to fend-off emergencies through pre-season maintenance , we ’ re there promptly and with the tools and experience needed to meet the challenge .”
Notably , the company has diversified into energy auditing . “ We teach our customers how to conserve energy , even though it ’ s going to lower the gallons of fuel we ’ ll deliver ,” Frank said . “ For us to be an asset to customers , and a solutions provider , that ’ s how we win and grow . Many of our customers respond favorably to the suggestion of an energy audit . It ’ s a concept some of them have never considered .”
According to NETE ’ s energy auditing manager , Paul Scicchitano , the company conducts 400 to 500 energy audits annually . The result is that many homes are modernized in simple ways – through the use of LED lightbulbs , the addition of insulation , weatherization services and preseason mechanical check-ups to enhance the operation and efficiency of mechanical equipment .
Proposed RFS Changes Alarm Fuel Marketers
The EPA is proposing changes to the Renewable Fuels Standard “ that would effectively limit biodiesel blends to no more than 20 percent ( B20 ), and make biodiesel blending into heating oil difficult ,” said the National Energy & Fuels Institute in a letter to the agency . “ We believe the heating oil market presents an important opportunity to help meet this country ’ s decarbonization goals ,” reads the letter .
Noting that that it consulted with many industry stakeholders in drafting its comments , NEFI said , “ The consensus is the changes proposed by the EPA will harm the ability of our industry and state governments to deliver on their environmental commitments , increase greenhouse gas emissions , and increase costs for heating oil consumers .”
Clean Fuels Alliance America filed formal comments on the Environmental Protection Agency ’ s proposed Renewable Fuel Standards for 2023 – 2025 and Other Changes .
“ After sending signals supporting growth for biomass-based diesel and advanced biofuels in June 2022 , EPA reverted to the pattern of flatlined volumes common in previous years ,” the Alliance said in a statement . “ Clean Fuels asks the agency to significantly increase the volumes for biomass-based diesel and other advanced biofuels over the next three years , based on the factors that EPA is required to consider , such as the commercial development of these fuels , the positive impact on the economy , the benefits for consumers , and the significant environmental benefits .”
Kurt Kovarik , Vice President of Federal Affairs with Clean Fuels , said , “ The industry is investing to double production , based on signals from the administration in the SAF Grand Challenge and pledge to cut carbon emissions in half . Flatlined volumes for the RFS threaten to undermine our industry ’ s investments as well as derail the administration ’ s goals for domestic energy security , jobs , economic opportunities , and environmental gains .”
The EPA will review the comments received and write a final rule over the next few months , NEFI said . In the meantime , the Institute said , it plans to relay the industry ’ s concerns to key members of Congress . l FON
4 MARCH 2023 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www . fueloilnews . com
Editorial Office EPG Brand Acceleration 10405 6th Ave . N ., Ste 210 Plymouth , MN 55441
Editor Stephen Bennett 763 / 383-4406 sbennett @ epgacceleration . com
Columnists Thomas Tubman Shane Sweet George Lanthier Marci Gagnon
List Rentals Kris Grauer 203 / 822-7933 kgrauer @ npsmediagroup . com
Reprints For more information on e-prints or reprints from Fuel Oil News magazine , Please visit https :// epgmediallc . com / creative-solutions / and contact us today or email us at info @ epgacceleration . com .
PRODUCTION Graphic Artist – Christopher Grotkin
ADVERTISING SALES
Central , South & East Dave Campbell , Associate Publisher 763 / 383-4457 dcampbell @ epgacceleration . com
MAIN OFFICE
EPG Brand Acceleration
10405 Sixth Ave N , Suite 210 Plymouth , MN 55441
CUSTOMER SERVICE
763 / 383-4492 • Fax : 763 / 383-4499 customerservice @ epgacceleration . com Fuel Oil News Box 96 , Port Jervis , NY 12771-0096
BRAND ACCELERATION