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| Dear Valued Member, |
Here's the latest edition of MOC's Desktop Councilor, an email newsletter aimed at keeping you up- to-date on MOC activities and programs that impact your business. Thank you for your continued membership support.
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New Sheet Metal Law Does Not Impact Oil Techs |
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A recently enacted Massachusetts law which requires licensing for sheet metal workers does not include work done by oil burner technicians, but MOC is closely tracking the drafting of the regulations that support the law to ensure that the Oilheat industry is not significantly impacted.
The new law, Chapter 232 (Sheet Metal Workers - Licensing) states that "sheet metal work" does NOT include "the work conducted by a licensed pipe fitter, oil burning technician, refrigeration technician, plumber or gasfitter as determined by the laws and regulations relating to those professions."
Also, if a corporation, partnership, LLC, LLP or other entity uses those licensed professionals they can "engage in business, advertise the provision of sheet metal work, make application for and take out permits for sheet metal work, bid for sheet metal work, [and] permit its employees to perform sheet metal work" without requiring those employees to have a sheet metal worker license or certificate. Additionally, work with sheet metal can be done without obtaining a permit from the local inspector of buildings or other official if the work is done by one of those licensed professionals.
In order to monitor the regulatory process, MOC has teamed locally with Associated Builders and Contractors and the Air Conditioning Contractors of America.
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Update on New Oil Line Law |
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As reported by MOC many times over the past two months, MOC helped draft and pass a new state law that helps the Oilheat industry and consumers. The law does two things: First, it requires that all unprotected fuel oil lines be upgraded with either an oil safety valve OR a continuous non-metallic sleeve. Secondly, it requires that insurance companies offering homeowners insurance in the state of MA offer coverage for clean up of fuel oil releases. The insurance coverage is not mandatory for homeowners with Oilheat, however those homeowners MUST have their oil lines protected to both be in compliance with state law and secure the coverage if they so desire.
MOC is currently working to clarify, and possibly extend the deadline for the upgrades. Why? The final version of the law was amended by the legislature and the language requires further interpretation. The new law states that the Board of Fire Prevention Regulations "shall adopt regulations to carry out" the law "not later than April 30, 2010" and that such regulations shall be "filed with the joint committee on public safety and homeland security not less than 60 days before the effective date thereof." Finally, the new law says that the language cited above "shall take effect on July 1, 2010."
MOC's Michael Ferrante said, "We still support this new law 100% but we question the actual compliance date and we believe there may be room to extend the deadline for compliance to give retailers and their customers more time to comply." MOC is working with the Board of Fire Prevention Regulations to clarify the compliance date.
Click here to read the law.
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MOC Staff & Wholesale Members Meet with State on Biofuel Mandate Regs |
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On Monday, MOC's Michael Ferrante and Alisha Frazee, National Biodiesel Board liaison Paul Nazzaro, and several representatives of the Massachusetts wholesaler supplier community met with officials from the State's Department of Energy Resources (DOER) to further discuss the regulations that will govern the implementation of the Clean Energy Biofuels Act of 2008, signed into law last July. In attendance were DOER Commissioner Phil Giudice, DOER officials Dwayne Bregger and Joanne McBrien, and Department of Environmental Protection representative Will Space. The meeting was called to address several points of concern that arose following a stakeholder meeting and subsequent email from the State Energy office alluding to averaging across transportation and heating fuels, as well as an intention to consider only 'waste feedstocks' as qualified fuels under the law.
Over the course of several phone calls, MOC's "Wholesaler Task Force", consisting of representatives from Global, Gulf, Irving, Sprague and others, compiled a list of 17 questions concerning everything from how the state will handle kerosene to embracing ASTM D6751 as the standard by which all biofuels must comply before blending with the distillate fuel. Overall the meeting was very positive in that healthy dialogue to help sort out the intricacies related to a successful implementation of the bill was achieved, as well as the State's acknowledgement of the fact that all biofuels must be ASTM D6751 compliant to ensure quality.
The Wholesaler Task Force will convene again this Friday at 1 PM for the state's second official stakeholder meeting.
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MOC Meets with Markey Staff on Climate Change Legislation |
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 On Thursday, June 11th, MOC's Alisha Frazee travelled to Washington, DC to meet with several staff members of Congressman Ed Markey's Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment and Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming to discuss the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (H.R. 2454). Frazee was accompanied by Sherri Cabrera and Rob Underwood of the Petroleum Marketer's Association of America. "As it turns out, this meeting was extremely productive," said Frazee. "In the room we had some very influential staffers, including the Congressman's Counsel for the Subcommittee who is actually drafting the deliverable fuels portion of this bill. We had an honest and direct dialogue; notes were taken and serious consideration was given to the concerns our industry has over the impact a national cap and trade system may have on us and our consumers, as well as the realities surrounding how the carbon intensity of our distillate and biofuel products should be measured. The relationship MOC has with this office has never been stronger." The legislation was officially introduced in mid-May and currently sits before eight different committees for mark-up. While in DC, Frazee also had the chance to stop in to Congressman Richard Neal's office to speak briefly with his Chief of Staff regarding the industries efforts to amend the oil equipment AFUE efficiency standards laid out in the consumer tax credit portion of Obama's stimulus bill, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Neal sits on House Ways and Means, a committee chaired by New York Democratic Congressman Charles Rangel. Recently, a bill amending the aforementioned AFUE language was drafted by Rangel's staff and a copy provided to Neal's office for consideration. The amendments would change the current definition of a 'qualified hot water boiler' to read "any oil hot water boiler which achieves an annual fuel utilization efficiency rate of not less than 90, or 86 when installed in conjunction with an indirect water heater and temperature reset or thermal purge control." Neal's office has expressed interest in supporting such a measure, and is currently working with MOC, NEFI and PMAA to determine an appropriate tax-related legislative vehicle by which to move it. MOC will continue to communicate with these offices. More on these important pieces of legislation as they develop. |
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SBA Unveils New Loan Program |
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On Monday, June 15th, The Small Business Association unveiled a new loan product, America's Recovery Capital Loan Program. The program is intended to assist those viable businesses in immediate need of short-term financial relief. The program is funded by $355 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act money, and will run through September 30, 2010 or until the money runs out. For a fact sheet on this new program please click here, or for more information visit www.sba.gov. |
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Customer Communications from MOC |
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MOC is pleased to offer retail members the opportunity to order three very timely and effective customer mailers/communications pieces. MOC has created these dealer marketing materials in cooperation with PRIMEDIA and all orders will flow directly through PRIMEDIA. Samples of the materials and order forms may be viewed by clicking the links below. There are two pieces to help you position Oilheat against the natural gas utilities including Compare Oilheat & Natural Gas on Price and Safety and Energy Answers Today. These two mailers can be used together or as stand-alone pieces. We are also offering you Enjoy Total Comfort, a NORA-approved piece for new and potential customers. |
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Come Golf with Us! |
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Yes, it's that time of year again! MOC will be holding their annual golf tournament at the beautiful, award-winning Pinehills Golf Course in Plymouth on August 17, 2009. It's a great day packed with golf, industry socializing, a raffle, good food and good fun. Keep your eyes open for the official registration brochure, coming via mail sometime mid-June. And please consider becoming one of our Championship sponsors or making a donation for MOC's gift bags or raffle. This year, MOC has already had the pleasure of welcoming Idearc Media as a lead sponsor for the event along with Global Petroleum, Gulf Oil, Energi/Conifer Insurance and Braley & Wellington Insurance Agency. Call MOC for details at 781-237-0730. |
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Newsworthy |
 Welcome to the Desktop Councilor's "Newsworthy" section, a column devoted to news from our state, our country and our world concerning MOC and various Council related issues. The following links are the most recent in articles, TV news, etc.:
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