Gov. Ned Lamont’s budget spokesman, Chris Collibee, confirmed that the administration would pay deliverable fuel vendors for LIHEAP deliveries until the federal shutdown has been resolved, reported CEMA Pipeline, the newsletter of the Connecticut Energy Marketers Association, in its Oct. 30 issue.
Earlier in October, CEMA sent a letter to Lamont requesting that the state fund the energy assistance program/LIHEAP until the federal government shutdown ends.
The funding commitment will ensure that heating oil, propane, and kerosene dealers who participate in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program are paid for deliveries made until the federal government reopens, and federal dollars are available again to pay for future deliveries, the newsletter reported.
On Oct. 29, Energy Marketers of America’s (EMA) heating oil state associations as well as the National Energy and Fuels Institute (NEFI), National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) and other groups sent a letter to Congress requesting continued funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) during the ongoing government shutdown. The letter highlighted delays in processing applications and payments as cold weather arrives, affecting low-income households and small fuel retailers.
State and local agencies administering LIHEAP are experiencing delays in issuing payments and authorizing deliveries due to the lapse in appropriations. This impacts approximately 6-8 million households annually that rely on the program for heating assistance. Most fuel retailers are small, family-owned businesses serving rural areas, and interruptions in funding could strain their operations, which depend significantly on LIHEAP payments during the winter season. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is operating with reduced staff, limiting program administration.
The letter urges Congress to authorize LIHEAP operations using prior-year funds during any funding lapse; ensure accessibility of FY 2025 and FY 2026 appropriated funds and require HHS to maintain adequate staffing levels.
The above report is reprinted from the Oct. 30 issue of CEMA Pipeline, the newsletter of the Connecticut Energy Marketers Association. It has been lightly edited for clarity and length.
AltWheels named Ed Burke, Chairman of the Board of Dennis K. Burke, Inc., the 2025 recipient of the AltWheels Green Fleet Award, honoring his trailblazing leadership in biodiesel. For more than two decades, Ed Burke has been at the forefront of clean fuel innovation in Massachusetts, AltWheels organizers said in honoring Burke.
Long before ‘renewable’ became a household word, Burke was opening doors that would change how fleets, universities, and the federal government thought about energy, AltWheels organizers said. In the early 2000s, he worked hand-in-hand with Harvard University, piloting some of the first biodiesel programs in the region. Recognizing the need for standardization, Burke also played a critical role in the development of an ASTM specification for biodiesel, helping to set national benchmarks for quality and performance.
“Ed was the foundation that gave us the opportunity to use biodiesel,” said David Harris, Jr, Director of Harvard University Transit and Fleet Management. “His energy and enthusiasm for this fuel, the support provided by Dennis K Burke, Inc, and our joint efforts with the National Biodiesel Board, were instrumental in the adoption of biodiesel in Boston and the region.”
His family’s service station in Chelsea, Massachusetts, became the birthplace of new fuels in the state, becoming the first retailer of both biodiesel and E-85 ethanol. At that station, the EPA announced its groundbreaking Nonroad, Locomotive, and Marine (NLRM) regulations.
Burke was honored at the AltWheels Fleet Day on October 6, 2025, at the 22nd Anniversary AltWheels Fleet Day in Norwood, Massachusetts, where leaders across the energy and transportation sectors gathered to celebrate innovation and progress toward a cleaner future.
Royce H. Friedman, president of Standard Oil of Connecticut, died of natural causes on September 21, 2025, at his home in Fairfield, Connecticut. He was 99. Roy’s wife, Aline Friedman, passed away four days later on September 25. She was 96.
Roy was born in 1926 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Upon graduating from Stratford High School in June of 1944, Roy enlisted in the US Navy and served as a Petty Officer 2nd class aboard an amphibious supply ship in the Pacific Theatre. His job was to ferry troops and supplies to shore during amphibious landings. When under attack during Japanese kamikaze raids, he served as a spotter on one the ship’s anti-aircraft batteries where he would identify enemy aircraft and direct outgoing fire. Roy received medals for service in the Philippines, Okinawa, Iwo Jima, New Caledonia, and Guam war zones. Roy’s ship survived a typhoon at sea with 120-mile-an-hour winds and 90-foot waves. After the Japanese surrender, his ship was one of the first to land on the Japanese mainland.
After discharge from the Navy, Roy returned to Stratford. He graduated from the University of Bridgeport and is the recipient of its Distinguished Alumnae Service Award. He spent his professional career in the petroleum industry expanding and diversifying a small, family-owned coal company established in 1913 into one of the largest privately-owned oil companies in the state. When asked about his seven-day work weeks, he would frequently recite the motto, “My work is my hobby,” a testament to his work ethic leading to a long, healthy life.
Today, 108 years later, the formerly small business now comprises Standard Oil of Connecticut, Standard Insurance, Standard Petroleum, Standard Security Systems and Standard Specialty Chemicals. Recognized as a model for business excellence in 2008, Standard Oil won the International Torch Award for Marketplace Excellence from the Better Business Bureau.
Roy and Aline Friedman had been married for 67 years. Aline earned a Master’s Degree in Education at Syracuse University and Yale University, and she taught elementary school in Stratford. The couple are survived by three daughters, two sons-in-law, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Funeral services were private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Alzheimer’s Association, 10 Executive Drive, Suite 202, Farmington, CT 06032.
This obituary is reprinted from the Oct. 2 issue of CEMA Pipeline, the newsletter of the Connecticut Energy Marketers Association. It has been edited for clarity and length. A more detailed version can be read at www.fueloilnews.com.
The New York Propane Gas Association (NYPGA) issued an update on its year so far, stating that it has renewed leadership, strategic focus, and operational stability following the hiring of Capitol Hill Management Services (CHMS) and Executive Director Amy Mason. Together, the changes have brought much-needed structure, momentum, and professionalism to an association determined to modernize and strengthen its voice at a pivotal moment for New York’s energy future, the association said.
The transition, which took effect in January 2025, represented more than a management change, it signaled a full-scale revitalization of NYPGA’s operations, advocacy, and member engagement, said the group. Despite the restructuring, the Association held year-over-year operating expenses flat, demonstrating a disciplined financial approach while expanding its capabilities through CHMS’s depth of experience and resources, it said.
“Over the past year, we’ve made significant strides toward creating a stronger, more efficient, and more unified organization,” said Christina Armentano, President of NYPGA and Chief Operating Officer of Paraco Gas. “Amy has been fantastic — she’s elevated our operations, strengthened communication with our members, and built genuine collaboration across our committees. Partnering with Capitol Hill Management has also given us the professional infrastructure we needed to better serve our members and represent the industry’s interests in Albany and beyond.”
The engagement with Capitol Hill Management Services has given NYPGA access to a professional backbone that supports all facets of association management — including administration, board coordination, financial oversight, and government relations, the group said. This structure allows volunteer leaders to concentrate on strategic direction and long-term goals while CHMS ensures seamless day-to-day execution, it said.
The results have been: clearer communication, faster responsiveness, and stronger alignment between leadership and committees. Members have noticed improvements in event coordination, policy engagement, and advocacy effectiveness, especially on issues impacting propane’s position in New York’s complex energy landscape.
Since stepping into the Executive Director role in January, Amy Mason has become a catalyst for progress. With a deep background in association management, policy engagement, and stakeholder relations, Mason has modernized NYPGA’s operations, revitalized committees, and strengthened relationships with key agencies and industry partners.
Her leadership has been defined by transparency, collaboration, and accountability qualities that have restored trust and engagement among NYPGA’s members.
“She leads with professionalism, collaboration, and follow-through,” Armentano added. “In a short time, Amy has elevated the Association’s visibility and effectiveness, and she’s built great trust among members who are seeing positive change firsthand.”
The organizational turnaround comes at a critical time. As New York advances its Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) goals, the state’s energy policy landscape continues to evolve rapidly — with sweeping implications for heating fuel providers, infrastructure investment, and energy reliability.
“Propane is part of the solution — not the problem,” said Armentano. “Our infrastructure is critical, our workforce is skilled, and our fuel provides the reliability New York families and businesses depend on. With this new structure and leadership, NYPGA is in its strongest position yet to fight for energy choice, defend our industry, and help shape the state’s clean-energy future.”
This NYPGA news is based on a news release issued by the association. It has been edited slightly for clarity and length.
John J. Esposito of Hamden, Connecticut, who started his business, the J&E Oil Co., in 1954, and operated it for 71 years, died on Oct. 17. He was 97. A resident of Hamden all his life, Esposito was a member of the Connecticut Energy Marketers Association since 1965. His obituary, published by the association in its newsletter to members, follows in slightly shortened form.
A U.S. Army veteran of WWII, Esposito was predeceased by his wife, Barbara (Galpin) Esposito. Born in Hamden on Jan. 10, 1928, he was a son of the late John and Carmela (Aitro) Esposito. He is survived by his daughters, Holli Esposito of Hamden and Lisa Stall; as well as grandsons; his brother, Edward Esposito of Hamden; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by four sisters and six brothers. He coached Little League Babe Ruth Baseball for many years, and was an avid fan of the New York Yankees and the New York Rangers. Calling hours and a service were held on Oct. 23, followed by burial with Military Honors in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hamden. To send a condolence to his family, see his obituary at www.beecherandbennett.com. lFON