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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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MOC Bids Farewell to Alisha Frazee |
After more than two years with MOC, Association Specialist Alisha Frazee is leaving the association on September 3rd and heading back to her home state of New York. Alisha will relocate to her family home near Albany and pursue new employment opportunities and eventually seek an advanced degree in public policy.
"Alisha has been a tremendous asset to MOC, especially on the federal level where she strengthened our relationships with our congressional delegation, and opened new lines of communication with key congressional staff," said MOC President Michael Ferrante. "Her work for MOC and the industry nationally on issues such as climate change, energy efficiency, LIHEAP and NORA have been incredibly beneficial to the industry's overall priorities and we greatly appreciate the work she has accomplished. Our Board of Directors thanks Alisha for her service to the association, our members and non-members, and to the collective body of people and audiences we interact with on a regular basis. We wish her success and happiness as she transitions back to New York," Michael said.
Story continued at end of newsletter... |
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Form 1A & Brochure Available for Oil Line Upgrades |
MOC recently mailed members samples of two communication pieces that will assist retailers and their customers in complying with the recently enacted state law that requires all unprotected oil supply & return lines be upgraded with either an Oil Safety Valve (OSV) or be enclosed in a continuous non-metallic sleeve. MOC has prepared a customer brochure that explains the law, and Form 1A (the official inspection form found in 527 CMR 4.00) in NCR triplicate. If you have not yet received these materials call MOC for assistance at 800.722.0623.
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Contact Congress in Support of NORA Reauthorization | |
Since its creation by the Congress in 2000, the National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA) has proved invaluable to the Oilheat industry and consumers.
NORA has helped to educate consumers on the value and benefits of the product and on newly emerging efficiency technologies and renewable alternatives such as biofuels. NORA has also helped to create public awareness of the best safety and energy conservation practices.
It has trained thousands of qualified home energy technicians, engaged in research, development and deployment of super-efficient home heating equipment and it has just begun to advance the "cleaner and greener" biofuel-blended and ultra-low sulfur heating oil product of the future.
However, when it created NORA, Congress put in a "sunset" provision, or expiration date that requires renewal of the program by lawmakers every five years. NORA was successfully reauthorized in 2005. The program expired again on February 6, 2010, and to-date, industry efforts to renew it have been unsuccessful. You can help to get NORA reinstated by meeting with your member of Congress, or sending him/her a letter. Each year, the U.S. Congress recesses during August, and members return home until after Labor Day week. Before returning to Washington, they are often willing to meet with their constituents to hear about issues that are important to them. For information about contacting your member of Congress, call MOC at 800.722.0623. If you prefer, you can simply send a letter urging their support for NORA's swift passage. A sample letter can be accessed through the link below. If you need the address of your elected official, call MOC.
Sample NORA Letter to Congress
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Golf Event a Total Success |
Thanks to the incredible generosity of many Championship sponsors, the return of corporate sponsor, Superguarantee, and a rain stoppage, over 120 golfers enjoyed another great day at MOC's annual golf event on the beautiful course at the Pinehills in Plymouth on August 16th.
MOC Board of Directors Chairman, Scott MacFarlane (MacFarlane Energy), was the host for the day's events. "Our Board and the staff at MOC greatly appreciate the outstanding support that many industry companies provided for this year's event. We want these companies to know that despite tough economic times, we place tremendous value on their willingness to donate their time and dollars to help support MOC's overall operations," he said.
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NGrid in Trouble with State AG | |
The Boston Herald reported last week that in 2008-09, National Grid "gouged" consumers by passing along employee expenses in their gas rates including a $35,000 private school tuition bill incurred by one of the company's senior vice presidents. Attorney General Martha Coakley's office said the expenses totaled $300,000 and a full investigation is underway. For more, read the Herald story via this link.
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Preferred Vendor Spotlight: USI New England |
Health Parity - Group Health Plans Alert
Attention heating oil retailers:
If you have fifty or more employees and offer benefits plans, you need to know that on July 1, 2010, the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury jointly issued new rules providing parity for consumers enrolled in group health plans who need treatment for mental health or substance use disorders. The new law applies to employers with 50 or more workers whose group health plan chooses to offer mental health or substance use disorder benefits. The new rules are effective for plan years beginning on or after July 1, 2010.
The rules prohibit group health insurance plans from restricting access to care by limiting benefits and requiring higher patient costs than those that apply to general medical or surgical benefits.
Additionally, the new law requires that any group health plan that includes mental health and substance use disorder benefits along with standard medical and surgical coverage must treat them equally in terms of out-of-pocket costs, benefit limits and practices such as prior authorization and utilization review.
NOTE: Carriers should already be issuing compliant plans, but it is prudent to double check.
For any questions or concerns regarding these new rules, please contact James Merendino via email at james.merendino@usi.biz, or call USI New England directly at 800-635-8760.
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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.:
Ultra low sulfur law passes in NY.
State bio mandates continue to be passed.
MOC works to bring affordable equipment installs to the "Average Joe".
The MA heating oil industry says goodbye to a "leading lady".
The heat is on NatGrid as MA State AG Coakley continues to grill over executive expenses apparently passed on to ratepayers.
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MOC Bids Farewell (story continued from above)... |
In order to fill the gap created by Alisha's departure, Michael will assume more direct responsibility for MOC's activities with the Massachusetts congressional delegation. Locally, MOC will continue to retain long time MOC state lobbyist Edward O'Sullivan, and will continue to utilize the legal skills of Barry Fogel with Keegan Werlin and Chris Foster's team with Robinson & Cole when needed. Lee Yaffa with Greystone will be assisting MOC with its web site and electronic newsletter needs. Lynne Morris, MOC's office and financial manager, will continue with her key responsibilities at the association. |
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