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On May 1st, energy efficiency was the hot topic on
Beacon Hill where testimony was offered on 70 bills
under the Joint Committee of Telecommunications,
Utilities and Energy. MOC testified in opposition to four
proposals calling for a one cent tax on the sale of
heating oil. Senate bills 1983, 1974, 1971 and House
bill 3335 contain the "Fuel Oil Efficiency" requirements
aimed at funding the replacement of inefficient oil-fired
home heating systems.
"We are opposed to any tax on heating oil. There has
never been one and we would like that to continue,"
said MOC President Michael Ferrante. He said that
over the past two years dealers have had to deal with
an unprecedented amount of customer calls
regarding price and that any additional hike in the
price for home heating "will be a burden to dealers
and consumers." Ferrante also explained to the
Committee that consumption of heating oil has
decreased due to the industry's efforts in promoting
efficient systems and conservation measures.
In rebuttal to Ferrante's testimony, Representative
Matthew Patrick said that Oilheat customers are not
paying for energy efficiency measures like utility
customers are doing through a Systems Betterment
Charge
(SBC) seen on electric and natural gas bills. Ferrante
pointed out the fact that Oilheat customers are also
users of electricity and do pay an SBC.
Many lobbyists from various electric companies,
environmental organizations and non-profit groups
also expressed their concern that Oilheat customers
are not getting access to energy efficiency programs
and
would like to see the Oilheat industry adopt the SBC.
A representative from the Associated
Industries of Massachusetts did join MOC in opposing
the new fuel tax saying the money currently being
collected from the SBC's is being diverted from its
original purpose.
MOC plans to discuss these legislative proposals
with the Council's Board of Directors at the end of the
month. Please remember that these bills are still in
the early stages of progression and MOC will keep
members abreast to any actions.
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MOC's staff met with Senator Stephen Brewer's
legislative director this week to open discussions on
SB-171 - An Act Relative to Continuing Education
Requirements for Oil Burner Technicians. MOC
stressed that the legislation is not necessary for oil
burner technicians given the amount of ongoing
training that the MOC and the New England Fuel
Institute offer technicians throughout the year, and the
state-of-the-art NORA training materials that are
utilized in Massachusetts. MOC brought a number of
NORA training materials to the meeting to show the
industry's commitment to technician training. MOC
also expressed concerns that SB-171 might pose a
financial burden on both retailers and oil technicians
in terms of paying for continuing education course
work and the hours required to take the classes. MOC
will formally testify on the bill at a State House hearing
later this year.
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MOC will host a meeting of the 527 CMR 4.00 Oil
Burner Subcommittee this week. MOC's Michael
Ferrante chairs the state-appointed subcommittee
which is charged with reviewing changes to the code
and aiding in answering questions surrounding code
interpretations and enforcement. Retailers and oil
burner technicians are encouraged to contact MOC
with any questions regarding the code. Also this week,
MOC will be attending a meeting of the Board of Fire
Prevention Regulations to begin to get a better
understanding of new rules (fire and building code)
surrounding the garaging of cargo tanks containing
heating oil and diesel.
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MOC wants to thank Jim Townsend, Townsend Oil &
Propane; and Ed Noonan, Noonan Energy; for taking
the time to travel to Washington last week to meet with
the Massachusetts Congressional delegation to
discuss the Oilheat industry's national legislative
agenda. Topping the list? The reauthorization of the
statute for Low Income Home Energy Assistance
(LIHEAP) and the industry's concerns over the Margin-
Over-Rack (MOR) leveraging mechanism used in
Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York.
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As a result of the implementation of new on and off
road diesel rules from the Environmental Protection
Agency
(EPA), new language must now be included on all
heating oil delivery tickets. Beginning on June 1, 2007,
the following language
must be included on all heating oil delivery tickets:
Dyed Unmarked Heating Oil: Not for use in
highway or non-highway, locomotive or marine
engines.
If you recently purchased new printed tickets or your
tickets do not have room for this new language,
purchasing a stamp that carries the new language
may be helpful in meeting the new requirement.
Please remember that the old IRS language "Dyed
Diesel Fuel, Non Taxable Use Only, Penalty for
Taxable Use" has not been required on delivery tickets
for several years now. If you are still using this
language, it can be removed.
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Are you interested in learning more about Bioheat®?
MOC member Paul Nazzaro with Advanced Fuel
Solutions and the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) will
be hosting 2 free webinars (on-line seminars) this
month that are designed to inform petroleum
distributors on all aspects of biodiesel and Bioheat®
fuel oil. Everywhere you turn biofuels and ethanol
training courses are being offered at prices as high as
$2,000 per registrant. It's no surprise that much of the
information presented at these nationwide workshops
has come directly from the NBB archives, where it all
began. Space is limited to 95 attendees. Sign up
today for either the May 10 or May 17 session by going
directly to the link below.
Each Session Covers:
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Yes, it's time to think about golf again. MOC's 16th
annual golf tournament is just around the corner. The
all day event will be Monday, August 20th at the
Pinehills Golf Club in Plymouth, MA. Mark your
calendars now! Flyers will be mailed shortly with
sponsorship and registration information.
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email:
zahra@massoilheat.org
phone:
781-237-0730
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