Page 8 - Oil and Energy January 2013
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8 • OIL
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ENERGY
Shipping Paper Change Took Effect January 1
As NEFI reported back in 2007, the U.S. DOT issued a final rule on
December 29, 2006 that implements a change to hazardous materials
shipping papers beginning January 1, 2013. The final rule harmonizes
federal hazardous material regulations (HMR) with international standards.
The rule is important to heating oil dealers because it changes the
way shipping papers for hazardous materials are prepared. Specifically,
the final rule changes the sequence of hazardous material product
descriptions that must be placed on shipping papers for petroleum
products. Under the new requirement, the hazardous material
identification number must be entered first, followed by the product
shipping name. Until now, the HMR always required that the
product shipping name be entered first, followed by the hazardous
class and then by the hazardous material identification number.
The U.S. DOT allowed voluntary compliance with the new sequencing
beginning January 1, 2007, but it becomes mandatory January 1, 2013.
The following is a comparison of the old and new hazardous material
product information sequence for shipping papers (Note: bold face
type is used for purposes of illustration only):
OldHazardousMaterialProductSequence ....... NewHazardousMaterialProductSequence
Diesel Fuel, 3,
NA1993
, PG III ..............................................
NA1993
, Diesel Fuel, 3, PG III
Fuel Oil, (No. 1,2,4,5 or 6) 3,
NA1993
, PG III........
NA1993
, Fuel Oil (1,2,4,5 or 6), 3, PG III
Gasoline, 3,
UN1203
, PG II ......................................................
UN1203
, Gasoline, 3, PG II
Kerosene, 3,
UN1223
, PG III ..................................................
UN1223
, Kerosene, 3, PG III
(Remember all product sequences must be followed by quantity in gallons)
The new sequencing requires marketers to print new shipping
papers or change computer programs that prepare shipping papers.
For those who print up shipping papers in bulk quantities, it is
permissible to cross out the hazardous material identification number
in the old sequencing format and hand write or stamp it at the
beginning of the sequence beginning January 1 until supplies run out.
For additional information contact Mark S. Morgan, NEFI Regulatory
Counsel at
NEFI CEO Michael Trunzo
Makes Rounds On Capitol Hill
NEFI President & CEO Michael C. Trunzo recently visited nearly a
dozen members of the New England Congressional delegation to
press members for action on a number of “lame duck”-related issues
important to the industry.
First, he urged at least a short-term reauthorization of the National
Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA) until a longer-term bill can be
agreed upon next year. Full NORA reauthorization has so far failed due
to objections from current Senate Energy Committee Chairman Jeff
Bingaman, a skeptic of energy-related check-off programs. However,
Sen. Bingaman retired at the end of the year, and new Chairman Sen.
Ron Wyden (D-OR) is believed to be supportive of renewing NORA,
removing the chief obstacle and paving way for a longer-term
reauthorization.
“In this crisis over the ‘fiscal cliff,’ NORA remains a way for Congress
to advance bipartisan goals of energy security and efficiency at no
– that’s zero – cost to the American taxpayer,” Trunzo said.
Mr. Trunzo also briefed lawmakers on post-Sandy recovery efforts
and related supply issues and the need to improve the issuance of
regulatory waivers. NEFI is working with the Petroleum Marketers
Association of America (PMAA) and affected state associations on new
recommendations on how the waiver processes can be improved and
major supply disruptions in gasoline, heating oil and diesel fuel
averted in future storms or other disasters in the Northeast.
“We came not only with a message on policy issues, but with a
positive message from our industry,” Trunzo said. “Across the nation
and especially in the disaster areas in New York, New Jersey and
Connecticut we are doing our part for customers as winter gets into
full swing.” Congress needs to do its part as well, he added.
“Lawmakers need to help the Northeast recover, bring some relief to
consumers and move the needle on heating oil efficiency and fuel
quality,” he said. “The best way to do that is reauthorize NORA and
improve the regulatory and tax outlook for our members.”
Trucking Industry Looks to
Replace Diesel Fuel With Natural Gas
The trucking industry recently delivered a strong show of support for
natural gas fuels at the first-ever Summit on Natural Gas in Trucking
hosted by the American Trucking Associations, where some predicted
that natural gas would replace diesel fuel in a relatively short time frame.
The reason for the transformation is largely based on price. Trucking
companies operate on notoriously small margins and the chance to
save a penny a mile in fuel costs is a strong incentive to convert to
natural gas. Natural gas fuels – compressed natural gas (CNG) and
liquefied natural gas (LNG) – are about $1.50 less expensive than diesel
on a per-gallon basis. However, CNG and LNG have less energy
content than diesel fuel and are potentially more dangerous.
U.S. DOT Announces Random Drug
and Alcohol Testing Rates for 2013
The U.S. DOT recently announced its annual minimum rates for
random drug and alcohol testing. The rates are the minimum percentage
of employees subject to U.S. DOT drug and alcohol testing requirements
that must undergo a random test during calendar year 2013.
For 2013, the number of random tests conducted by the employer
must equal at least 50% for drugs and 10% for alcohol. The random
test percentage is based on the average number of driver positions
subject to the regulations. Employers are responsible for
implementing and conducting driver drug and alcohol testing
programs. They may do this using their own employees or contract
services, or by joining together in a consortium that provides services
to all member companies. Any individual conducting the test must be
trained to operate the evidential breath testing (EBT) equipment and
be proficient in the breath testing procedures. Random alcohol testing
must be conducted just before, during, or just after a driver’s
performance of safety-sensitive duties.
