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Last week when a significant storm was bearing
down on the region and the temperatures dipped
below zero, MOC requested and received a 5 day
waiver of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration rules for hours of service for both
heating oil and propane delivery drivers. MOC made
the request through the Massachusetts Emergency
Management Agency (MEMA) and the Division of
Energy Resources (DOER). “Both MEMA and DOER
have been very cooperative over the years in
granting waivers on driver hours when fuel supply or
weather issues could impede the prompt and safe
delivery of home heating fuels, and we greatly
appreciate their help,” said MOC’s Michael Ferrante.
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For the past week MOC has worked to help resolve
propane supply shortages in New England. The
propane supply problems stem from an on going
Canadian rail strike resulting in propane allocations at
key propane tanker terminals in New Hampshire and
Rhode Island, and the pipeline terminal in Selkirk, New
York. MOC teamed with the Maine Oil Dealers
Association, the Vermont Fuel Dealers Association,
the Independent Connecticut Petroleum Association
and the Better Home Heat Council of New Hampshire
to communicate with key government officials in the
region.
Jamie Py with the Maine Oil Dealers Association has
taken a lead role in coordinating the regional effort
and has done a tremendous job in communicating
with government officials and the media. As of
February 21, Canada’s labor minister said he has
prepared legislation to order 2,800 rail workers back
on the job, a move that would end the 10-day strike.
The situation is being examined on a day-to-day
basis and MOC will keep members informed.
Propane ranks behind heating oil and natural gas for
heating homes in New England, but according to the
2000 US census, tens of thousands of homeowners
use it including 25,000 in Maine, 50,000 in New
Hampshire, 29,000 in Vermont, and 64,000 in
Massachusetts.
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Heating oil transporters are still reporting confusion
over the rules and regulations used by Boston Police
to govern the transportation of hazardous cargo in-
and-around Boston neighborhoods. Two major
trucking firms report that their truck drivers have
been stopped recently while enroute to deliver
heating oil to Boston-based terminals. The firms
received citations for violations of section 397.67 of
U.S. DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
rules.
Although MOC met with Boston’s Commercial Vehicle
Enforcement Unit to try and resolve the matter, more
work needs to be done to clarify what routes can
and cannot be used to get in-and-around Boston.
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The annual MOC membership directory and handbook
was mailed out to all members last week. If you need
an additional copy, please call the Council. Special
inserts in this year’s book include a section devoted
to the This Old House series in East Boston,
the Oilheat-Realty Partnership program and the new
NORA advertising campaign. As usual it also
contains natural gas rates and conversion tables,
regulatory guidance and an updated list of your state
representatives and senators. MOC would like to
thank the 46 advertisers who contributed to the
Directory and made its production possible.
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Miss an issue of the Desktop Councilor or just want
to go back and re-read your favorite one? All
previous issues of the Desktop Councilor have now
been posted on the ‘Members Only’ page of the MOC
website, www.massoilheat.org.
Ever miss a day in recording your region's degree
days? Just log on to our website and go to
the ‘Members Only’ page. The link, “Degree Days and
Weather” will take you to a map where you can
select your region and view all the degree days for
the entire season.
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NORA would like to clear out its inventory of the
some powerful and effective dealer-to-consumer
education items that were prepared last year. If you
would like to receive a bulk shipment in any quantity
of these items, please contact Greystone Services at
978-535-9185 and they will arrange shipment of
these items to your office or any site you designate.
The following items are available:
Efficiency Statement Stuffer • NORA-ESS
Explains the Cost-Saving Benefits of Increased
Oilheat Efficiency.
Budget Statement Stuffer • NORA-BSS
Tells Customers Why It's Important to Conserve and
Consider a Budget Payment Plan to Manage High
Heating Costs.
Efficiency Post Card • NORA-EPC
Explains the Cost-Saving Benefits of Increased
Oilheat Efficiency.
Conservation Post Card • NORA-CPC
Promotes the Advantages of Installing a
Programmable Thermostat.
Budget Door Hanger • NORA-BDH
Tells Customers Why It's Important to Conserve and
Consider a Budget Payment Plan to Manage High
Heating Costs.
Q&A Brochure • NORA-QAB
Provides Straightforward Answers to This Season's
Most Common Consumer Questions About Energy
Costs and Ways to Conserve.
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email:
zahra@massoilheat.org
phone:
781-237-0730
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