NEFI's Executive Committee traveled to Washington, D.C. last week for its fall meeting. While in the nation's capital, they took advantage of the opportunity to engage in high-level discussions with Congressional leaders and key staff, including Speaker of the House Mike Johnson's office, the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee, and the Senate Finance Committee.

Discussions focused on three timely issues affecting the heating fuels industry: (1) safeguarding the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) during the shutdown, (2) NEFI's support for the Energy Choice Act and other national energy choice legislation, and (3) advancing policies that support renewable liquid heating fuels. NEFI representatives spoke firsthand about how these issues impact their businesses and customers.

"Connecting NEFI's leadership directly with top Congressional leaders and committee staff ensures that our members' concerns are heard and understood at the highest levels of government," said NEFI President Jim Collura. "Thank you to all those that took the time to come to Washington to advocate for our industry."

Participants included NEFI Board Chair Ted Noonan of Noonan Energy, Board Vice Chair Steve Walsh of Davis Oil & Propane and his wife Leah, Government Affairs Committee Chair Mike Estes of Estes Oil & Propane, Home Comfort PAC Chair Scott E. MacFarlane of MacFarlane Energy, Biofuels Action Subcommittee Chair Jim Townsend of Townsend Energy and his son Brookes, Catherine Erasmus of Taylor Energy, and Anthony Silecchia of Star Group.

NEFI will continue to monitor developments closely and maintain open lines of communication with policymakers, particularly as the shutdown continues and the cold winter weather approaches.