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Massachusetts House Speaker Sal DiMasi, one of
Beacon Hill’s most powerful politicians, is set to
propose legislation to overhaul the state’s energy
policy, reduce electricity demand and push
communities to develop more energy efficient “green”
projects such as wind turbines. MOC does not know
at this time how DiMasi’s plan will impact Oilheat
because he has not yet released a complete written
version. However, DiMasi says he will propose a
Cabinet-level secretary of energy and eliminate two
agencies that MOC deals with regularly – the
Department of Telecommunications and Energy, and
the Division of Energy Resources.
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A lawsuit was filed on December 5 by Attorney
General Thomas F. Reilly against Viking Fuel
Distributors, Inc., Labelle Oil and Joseph Pedoto,
alleging that Viking knew or should have known it
would not be able to supply heating oil when it
solicited over $1 million for pre- paid oil from
customers last spring. Viking Oil is also under a
temporary restraining order, freezing the company’s
and Pedoto’s assets and preventing them from
destroying any records.
MOC has been handling calls from the media and
many calls from Viking customers who are looking for
advice on how they can possibly recover their money
and find a new dealer. In an interview last week
with a reporter from WCVB-TV Channel 5, Michael
Ferrante said, “We are hopeful that this doesn’t
tarnish the industry, but quite honestly, there are a
lot of wonderful companies, scores of them in the
neighborhood surrounding where Viking served.”
Viking’s supplier, Global Partners, stopped supplying
fuel to Viking because they are delinquent in their
accounts with Global and other suppliers. Edward J.
Faneuil, executive vice president and general counsel
and secretary for Global Partners said Global is not
responsible for any money consumers have paid to
Viking Oil and all customer anger should be directed
toward Viking, according to a Boston Globe article on
December 10.
This week MOC’s Board of Directors will be discussing
the possible fallout from the Viking story and its
impact on the industry. It is possible that the
attorney general’s office or the state legislature will
propose new rules in 2007 for the industry regarding
the pre-buying of heating oil for the season. MOC
will be tracking these matters very closely and will
keep members informed.
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State fire officials have appointed three industry
representatives to the 527 CMR 4.00 subcommittee,
including MOC’s Michael Ferrante who will chair the
subcommittee. The two other industry members are
NEFI’s Michael Markarian and Dave Bessette from
Arlex Oil and NAOSHM. The three are joined by three
fire fighting professionals, all of whom were appointed
by the Board of Fire Prevention Regulations. The
subcommittee held its first meeting last week and
made recommendations to change the code to
strengthen fill and vent pipe removal requirements,
and clarify the exhaustion of flue gases. “MOC is
thrilled to have such a high profile role on this state-
appointed subcommittee for the industry’s oil burner
code,” said Ferrante. "Michael and Dave bring
tremendous technical skill to the group and their
insight carries great weight.”
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MOC will be hosting a series of seminars across the
state in the upcoming year. These events include:
MOC realty seminars, CMR training and tank training.
Please mark your calendar for the following dates as
they pertain to your needs and location:
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Final touches are being put on the 2007 MOC Annual
Membership Directory and Handbook. This handy
resource not only includes contact information of all
MOC members and board officers, but useful tools for
your everyday business needs. Look for your copy in
January. Please call an MOC staff member if you have
any last minute changes to your contact information
or advertisement.
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email:
zahra@massoilheat.org
phone:
781-237-0730
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