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Lawmakers on Beacon Hill continued an aggressive
public hearing schedule over the past two weeks and
MOC testified on a number of important pieces of
legislation impacting Oilheat.
Last week, the Joint Committee on Environment,
Natural Resources and Agriculture took up S-538 - An
Act to Facilitate Homeowners Remediating Heating
Oil Spills. The bill has been on the docket for four
years, but has never passed due to opposition from
the insurance industry and suggestions from MOC to
modify the bill. S-538 seeks to broaden homeowner
insurance coverage to help with remediation of fuel oil
spills/leaks, and add further safeguards to fuel oil
tanks and lines. MOC once again offered testimony on
rewriting a section of the bill addressing mandatory
fuel oil line upgrades using protective sleeves or oil
safety valves.
This week, the Joint Committee on Revenue heard
testimony on dozens of revenue-related energy
measures including a tax on every heating oil gallon to
help pay for fuel oil related homeowner environmental
cleanups (H-3029), a bill to offer a tax credit for
the "removal of a failed or abandoned" home heating
oil storage tank (H-3815), and three bills related to tax
incentives for biofuel (H-2932, S-1774 & S-1775).
MOC opposed H-3029, pushing instead for passage
of S-538. MOC offered tentative support for H-3815
and the biofuel bills, telling lawmakers that all the
measures needed further work.
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In one of its most aggressive anti-Oilheat marketing
efforts ever, KeySpan is calling for Oilheat customers
to convert to natural gas because "natural gas emits
up to 40% less carbon dioxide into the air versus oil"
and by switching to gas, "you'll get rid of the 275
gallons of toxic waste buried under your yard, or in
your basement." MOC's Board of Directors will
discuss the campaign at its spring meeting on May 22.
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On Thursday, May 3, the Board of Fire Prevention and
Regulations (BFPR) subcommittee for 527 CMR 14
met in order to clear up inconsistencies between CMR
8 and 14, particularly involving regulations around the
garaging of fuel oil vehicles. MOC attended the
meeting along with two fuel oil dealers who are
encountering difficulties with the rules for
licensing/permitting their vehicles when they are being
garaged or stored overnight.
Some relief was recovered when the subcommittee
ruled on modifications to CMR 14.03 section 10,
erasing any conflicts with CMR 8. They also made a
recommendation for the CMR 8 subcommittee to
address the maximum amount of gallons permitted to
be stored overnight.
The two committees plan to meet together shortly to
discuss these matters further. MOC will keep
members informed on any more changes to the
codes.
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The following morning, MOC's Michael Ferrante
chaired a meeting of the BFPR 527 CMR 4.00
subcommittee and several matters were addressed
including tank removal. The committee approved
changes to the code stating that any person removing
a fuel oil tank must also remove all fill and vent pipes
previously connected to the tank. Capping of the
piping will no longer be acceptable under the code.
New language and a table have also been added to
the section of CMR 4 which pertains to chimney
connectors. This will help oil burner technicians and
fire safety officials further clarify diameter size and
thickness for steel pipe connectors. MOC wants to
thank George Lanthier for this suggested change.
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As a member of NEFI's Government and Legislative
Affairs Committee, MOC has been asked to gather
feedback on the 2006-2007 CITGO/Citizens Energy
program. With the help of Gene Guilford with the
Independent Connecticut Petroleum Association
(ICPA), an easy-to-use web survey is now available to
assist in providing association and dealer feedback.
The survey is blind, meaning no one will know your
identity and it takes only about 5 minutes to complete.
After collecting feedback, NEFI will discuss
assembling a team of Oilheat leaders to meet with
representatives from CITGO/Citizens to discuss the
industry's thoughts.
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The six New England states got word last week from
NEFI's regulatory counsel that the EPA has "corrected"
the heating oil delivery ticket language issue. Here's
the new language:
For heating oil used in heating applications
beginning June 1, 2007:"Dyed Unmarked
Heating
Oil: Not for use in highway, locomotive or marine
engines."
For high sulfur heating oil used in non-road engine
applications between June 1 and October 1, 2007
(distribution for use in NRLM applications unlawful
after October 1, 2007):"HS Dyed NRLM-may
exceed 500-ppm sulfur. Not for use in nonroad
engines requiring ULSD or highway engines."
Also, as a reminder:
For 15-ppm sulfur dyed Ultra-low Sulfur Diesel Fuel: "15-ppm sulfur dyed ULSD. Non-road or tax exempt use only." For 500-ppm sulfur dyed Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel (or 500-ppm Low Sulfur Heating Oil used in Dyed Diesel Fuel applications):"500-ppm sulfur dyed LSD. Non-road or tax exempt use only. Not for use in 2007 and later vehicles." |
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MOC has teamed with NAOHSM to host 3 NORA tank
training seminars in June from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in
various locations across Massachusetts:
June 19, 2007 - Mansfield - Holiday Inn, 31 Hampshire Street, Mansfield, MA June 20, 2007 - Boston area - Holiday Inn, 55 Ariadne Road, Dedham, MA June 21, 2007 - Worcester - Worcester Hotel and Conference Center, 500 Lincoln Street, Worcester, MA To register, click the link to the NAOHSM website below. |
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MOC is excited to continue the successful Oilheat-
Realty partnership program launched in
Massachusetts last year. MOC is working with
PriMedia to schedule the 2007 events. A tentative
breakfast seminar has been scheduled for June 27 in
Fitchburg, MA. More information will soon follow. You
can also check for the most recent updates and
scheduled events by logging onto www.mocrealty.org.
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The Braley & Wellington Insurance Agency recently
published its spring addition of "The Practical Risk
Manager" which focuses on tank failures.
The National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA), The New England Fuel Institute (NEFI), the state oilheat associations, and the insurance industry have all identified home heating oil tank system failure as a significant threat to the oilheat industry's reputation as a provider of clean, efficient home comfort... |
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email:
zahra@massoilheat.org
phone:
781-237-0730
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