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 This edition of NEON is sponsored by R.W. Beckett Corp. Watch for information on the new Beckett Training Center coming this summer to New England. www.BeckettCorp.com/nep/ Your company can sponsor weekly NEON editions. Learn how. |
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NEFI Publishes Compliance Kit on Federal Hazmat Registration (Due July 1st) GAO Recommends AST Tank Registration to Aid EPA SPCC Enforcement Link to N.E. State News |
Senate Cap & Trade Bill Carries $911 Billion In Utility Consumer "Price Relief" Concerned about the increased price of energy that would likely result from a cap & trade system, Congress tucked into the bill a provision that provides $911 billion (through 2050) in "market relief" to energy consumers -- but only to natural gas and electricity consumers! Heating oil and propane consumers would be literally left out in the cold. The provision would have provided the subsidy to utility companies which would then be used to reduce rates for customers to "ensure that [utility] customers are protected from price increases in energy costs." NEFI -- obviously outraged by the provision -- alerted state Oilheat groups and contacted key lawmakers in opposition to the "free money" for utilities. Luckily, this legislation is likely doomed due to Senate Republican opposition to the overall bill. Republicans blocked the measure by filibuster, which will require a 60-vote majority to end (or "invoke cloture"). The Democratic leadership does not likely have the votes needed. Regardless, a vote will take place on Friday, June 6, 2008. If Democrats fail to override, the bill will die, and NEFI will closely examine future cap & trade proposals for ridiculous "free handouts" to the utilities. On the very off-chance that the Democrats succeed and proceed to consideration of the bill, NEFI will help mobilize grassroots industry opposition to the measure.
PMAA Member Joins Soros and Others In Senate Hearing on Oil Manipulation by Traders Testimony of George Soros Testimony of Professor Michael Greenberger Testimony of Gerry Ramm of Inland Oil, Washington (on behalf of PMAA) To close the summary of the hearing, perhaps the quote of the day was that of Mark Cooper, director of research for the Consumer Federation of America, who called the CFTC's response to what he calls "hyper-speculation" in the markets as "the regulatory equivalent to FEMA's reaction to Hurricane Katrina." Well said, Mr. Cooper. READ TESTIMONY It is time for Congress to act DECISIVELY. A new nation-wide campaign is in the planning stages that will bring consumer attention to speculation. PMAA has formed a "Futures Market Reform Task Force," spear-headed by Gary Ramm, to come up with the strategy. NEFI is participating in this Task Force and supporting the effort. Members should look for an announcement on the launch of the campaign soon. NEFI Publishes Compliance Kit on Federal Hazmat Registration (Due July 1st) GAO Recommends AST Tank Registration to Aid EPA SPCC Enforcement The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued a report recommending the EPA adopt an aboveground storage tank (AST) registration program in order to better target bulk plants for enforcement under the federal Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations. According to GAO, in fiscal years 2004-2006, EPA regions conducted just 3,359 SPCC inspections; that is less than 1% of the estimated 500,000 facilities subject to the rule. The report found the EPA unable to effectively identify facilities subject to SPCC regulations. The report, Aboveground Oil Storage Tanks: More Complete Facility Data Could Improve Implementation of EPA's Spill Prevention Program, found information on AST facilities is so meager that the EPA resorts to identifying facilities for enforcement by reviewing state referrals, conducting Internet searches, and looking through the Yellow Pages. EPA said it is currently developing a national database to improve management of the SPCC program, but the data collected thus far is limited to facilities that have already been inspected. The GAO report concludes that a registration and reporting program for all ASTs nationwide is needed to improve the EPA's database. The GAO recommends the EPA adopt an AST registration program that requires tank owners to register with the EPA and report site information, including the number of tanks, storage capacity, age of tanks, location, quality of construction and methods of operation. It also recommends adoption of additional SPCC performance measures so that the EPA can determine the extent to which the program is achieving its goals. The EPA said it generally agrees with these recommendations, though it has not said whether it will pursue a registration rulemaking. NEFI will monitor this issue closely and oppose any burdensome regulations. Read the report. The Battle Against Speculation • In a press conference Monday, two Connecticut Congressmen backed efforts to curb oil prices. The Independent Connecticut Petroleum Association and NEFI are backing their efforts. READ MORE • Acting Chairman Walt Lukken (R) and Commission Bart Chilton (D) of the Commodity Futures Regulatory Commission (CFTC), the principal regulator of the futures markets, appeared before a Senate committee to be cleared for reconfirmation on Wednesday. Scott O'Malia (R) was also cleared for nomination as Commissioner. Much attention was given to the issue of speculation and market manipulation, but there were mostly softball questions. Regarding the effect that index trading is having on futures prices, Lukken mentioned that he is understaffed but said the commission has the regulatory tools to spot that sort of situation." Well then let's give it to them. VIEW VIDEO • The CFTC will host a second annual meeting of international futures market regulators next week to address concerns about possible manipulative trading on the global energy markets. READ MORE • Senator Kerry (D-MA) has called for a Justice Department task force to investigate energy market manipulation. Kerry wants the government to explore the "degree to which speculation distorts the [energy] marketplace." READ MORE • A great piece has been written in the New York Times on energy trading exemptions, entitled "Sewing the Energy Loopholes Shut." READ MORE • OPEC'S chief official insists speculation is behind oil price hikes. READ MORE Heating Fuels • This is not a story you hear too much about these days, but it is certainly welcome news. The Alaskan Forest Service is converting public-use cabins to Oilheat. READ MORE • WCSH Portland, Maine has reported on a non-profit in Southern Maine, run by Maine Democrats, that is offering discounted home heating oil. READ MORE • The Columbus Dispatch reports utility companies are prepared to shutoff customers that can't pay their bills. READ MORE And a Philadelphia paper reports shutoffs up drastically from 2007. READ MORE • NEFI CEO Shane Sweet defended the industry in a recent article, "Heating oil customers consider natural gas option." READ MORE • The AP is reporting that drivers are putting less fuel in their tank, and then running out. Not a very sound practice. READ MORE Motor Fuels • After Congressional hearings into the hidden credit card fees paid by merchants and, consequently, consumers, major legislation has been introduced to "fix" the credit card fee issue. READ MORE • A recent report from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has shown a major decline in vehicle miles traveled on U.S. roads, with March totals down 4.3 percent from last year. It is the first decline in March driving since 1979. READ MORE • A new Gallup Poll shows Americans wanting Price Controls on Gasoline. READ MORE • U.S. Senator Rockefeller (D-WV) is pushing for a new program -- modeled after the federal home energy assistance program -- to provide federal motor fuel assistance for low income Americans. READ MORE If you have industry news items for a future issue of NEON, email jimcollura@nefi.com and put "NEON industry news" in the subject line. No more than 50 words please, "Read More" link optional. • NEW STAFFER JOINS NEFI LEGISLATIVE & REGULATORY ACTION CENTER. Dave Huffman (dave@nefi.com, 617-923-5022) is the newest member of the team at the New England Fuel Institute. Huffman will be working as a member services specialist for the Legislative and Regulatory Action Center (LRAC). "I am very pleased to welcome Dave to our staff," said Jim Collura, NEFI VP and LRAC Director. "I anticipate that members will see an increase in valuable communications, services and resources as a result of Dave's work in support of the Action Center." Huffman a graduate in political science the University of New Hampshire, has extensive experience in customer service and the financial markets. • On Tuesday, June 10th Sean Cota (of Cota & Cota, Bellows Falls, VT) will represent NEFI before a new federal advisory committee on energy trading. The committee was formed by the CFTC earlier this year at the recommendation of NEFI and its coalition allies. We will report how the meeting went in the next issue. Learn How to Grow and Diversify Your Fuel Business in Challenging Times Welcome New NEFI Member LaBrosse Brothers Chimney & Masonry, Inc. -TOP- Mandatory Drug & Alcohol Testing Due to the complexities of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the related Department of Transportation and Health & Human Services regulations, your choice of a group to manage your overall program is a critical one. The New England Fuel Institute, in partnership with the Newport Alliance, has created a drug and alcohol testing consortium that meets federal requirements. • Company Policy/Certificate of Compliance The NEFI-Newport Alliance Consortium minimizes the time and expense of administrative requirements. Fuel Oil dealers and truckers who implement programs alone face administrative burdens and the possibility that they might overlook something risking severe penalties if found in noncompliance by the federal DOT. The consortium offers the expertise and administrative guidance necessary to ensure that dealers comply with the law and demonstrate compliance to DOT auditors. The NEFI-Newport Alliance Consortium is the only NEFI-endorsed drug and alcohol testing program. To compare your current costs or to obtain further information on the program contact Donna Carcerano, NEFI Benefits Administrator at (617) 924-1000 ext. 220, donna@nefi.com Join or renew membership with NEFI today! Click here, or contact Joanne Sharkey, NEFI Membership Coordinator at (617) 924-1000 or joanne@nefi.com.The South Carolina Petroleum Marketers Association reports that a referendum of heating oil distributors in that state has voted in favor of joining the National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA). The voting was conducted between April and May of this year. The application to join will next go before the NORA Board of Directors which is expected to approve membership later this year for South Carolina's entry as the 23rd state in the Alliance. "We look forward to becoming part of the Alliance," said Michael Fields, Executive Director of the South Carolina Petroleum Marketers Association. Companies joining NORA know that there are multiple benefits, such as: rights to the term Bioheat®, receiving state grants, access to educational programs, access to expert trainiers and resources for training classes, exclusive rights to NORA consumer education, advertisements in all mediums, national recognition, and access to a variety of contacts. By providing these benefits, NORA is helping to improve the quality of the Oilheat industry -- and at the same time giving customers a convenient and economical alternative to heating their homes.
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