Congress will meet this week to work until the Economic Stimulus package is finished and it is sent to the President, then will recess for the Presidents Day holiday all next week.

CONGRESS PREPARES ECONOMIC STIMULUS FOR FINAL VOTE
We have been trying to keep members up-to-speed as Congress moves forward with an “economic stimulus” package (previous NEON issues). The U.S. House of Representatives passed its version on January 28th by a vote of 244-188 (see how your Reps. voted). The Senate passed its version on February 10th, only after a Compromise bill was struck with a select few moderate Republicans, Sens. Snowe (ME), Collins (ME) and Specter (PA), by a vote of 61-37 (see how your Senators voted).

On Wednesday, February 11th, the House and Senate sent conferees to meet and work out the differences between the two bills. A final bill was hammered out and announced late that day; however the final bill has not yet been made public. So far, only small details have leaked, such as the total price tag ($791 billion). Once details are released, we will update members on the fate of some provisions of interest to NEFI members, including additional LIHEAP, efficiency and weatherization funding, and provisions designed to boost SBA Small Business loans. Once the final bill details become available, we will provide you with a look inside. Members of Congress were preparing a final vote on the package, which President Obama has asked to receive by the Presidents Day holiday.

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NEFI AND COALITION ALLIES MEET WITH CFTC CHAIRMAN-DESIGNATE GENSLER
The New England Fuel Institute arranged a meeting with Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman-designate Gary Gensler on Tuesday, February 10th. The meeting was held at Petroleum Marketers Association of America offices in Arlington, VA and was joined by several Commodity Markets Oversight Coalition members, including the Air Transport Association, Food & Water Watch, National Farmers Union, Agricultural Retailers Association, and National Association of Shell Marketers. The groups will meet on a conference call next week to discuss the meeting and determine if a coalition endorsement is appropriate, however most coalition members found the meeting to be productive, and Gensler to have been responsive to our concerns. NEFI Vice President Jim Collura and Policy Advisor Elizabeth McCarthy were present at the meeting. Special thanks must go to Elizabeth for her hard work and persistence in setting up the meeting.

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INDUSTRY GROUPS MEET WITH MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, URGE LIHEAP FUNDING
On Wednesday, February 11th, industry groups and heating fuel dealers joined with hundreds of low income advocates from around the country and descended on Capitol Hill in support of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) again next year. Last year, Congress provided the maximum authorized, a total of $5.1 billion, and the coalition of LIHEAP allies again asked for at least that much for FY2010. The event was organized by the National Fuel Funds Network, a 25-year old alliance of LIHEAP stakeholders of which NEFI is a member. The groups argued that, although FY09 saw a doubling of LIHEAP funds, as the National Energy Assistance Directors Association has reported, the current economic and unemployment situation has resulted in a surge in applications for assistance. “Congress needs to keep pace with the number of eligible households in need of assistance, not just the cost of energy” said NEFI Vice President for Government Affairs Jim Collura.

Participants in the event included Al Davis of H.R. Clough (Contoocook, NH), Bill Ermer of Palmer Gas/Ermer Oil (Atkinson, NH), Louise Giguere Leblanc of Giguere & Marchand Oil Company (Woonsocket, RI), Vic Allienello of East Providence Fuel (Providence, RI), NEFI Vice President for Government Affairs Jim Collura, NEFI Policy Advisor Elizabeth McCarthy, Mass Oilheat Council Association Specialist Alisha Frazee, Oil Heat Council of New Hampshire President Bob Garside, Oil Heat Institute of Rhode Island Executive Director Julie Gill, and Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey Executive Director Eric DeGesero.

Most notably, the industry delegation from Rhode Island joined NEFI representatives Collura and McCarthy and Fuel Funds Network Board members to present Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) with a special plaque honoring his years of support for the LIHEAP program and the needs of low-income energy consumers. Reed was also thanked for his support for the National Oilheat Research Alliance (he will be the primary Senate sponsor of the NORA reauthorization bill again this year).

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HOW YOU CAN HELP CONTRIBUTE TO
THE 'INDUSTRY'S CAUSE'
Wondering how you can contribute to the great work done by the New England Fuel Institute, its Legislative & Regulatory Action Center, Government Affairs Committee and various coalitions, partnerships, and alliances? With the new Congress, new President and possibly the most ambitious legislative and regulatory agenda in history on the horizon, your help is needed now more than ever! Please consider a contribution -- even a small contribution of $100 or $300 -- to the NEFI Action Center Fund. Simply visit www.nefiactioncenter.com and click "Make a Donation" (NO log-in or password required) which is in bold red font in the menu on the left side of the screen. When the "Contribution/Pledge Form" page opens, simply fill out the desired donation amount, billing information and contact information fields and click "submit contribution." Donors can either choose to be billed for their donation or may use a credit card (we accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express). Remember that our pledge forms list suggested donations only. A full list of 2008 contributors can also be found at the bottom of the main page at the NEFI Action Center site. If you have any questions concerning the donation process, contact Dave Rocco at NEFI at (617) 923-5022 or dave@nefi.com. Thank you for your support!