June 2013 • 3
The Front Burner
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA) requires
strict compliance with Federal drug
and alcohol testing regulations for
motor carriers and drivers. Employers
in violation are subject to civil and
criminal penalties.
The NEFI Alliance Consortium si a
simple, quick and inexpensive solution
to this federal
ment.
require As a non-
profit group, the NEFI Alliance is able
to offer this comprehensive program
at a most reasonable cost.
Avoid severe fines…
Join today!
Mandatory Drug & Alcohol Testing
Regulations for Motor Carriers…
It’s The Law!
NEFI Alliance Consortium
238 Bedford Street, Suite 2
Lexington, MA 02420
For program information
and application information,
call 617-924-1000,
fax 617-924-1022, or
email
*Figures taken from Energy Information Administration’s “This Week In Petroleum.”
THE BAROMETER
Comparing Heating Oil to Other Financial Products
May 6, 2013
One Year Ago
No. 2 Fuel Oil/New York (dollars/gallon)
2.763
2.978
WTI Crude (dollars/barrel)
$95.80
$97.86
Brent Crude (dollars/barrel)
$105.00
$110.47
10-year Treasury Bill
1.80%
1.88%
30-year Mortgage
3.35%
3.84%
Dow Jones Average
14,968
13,008
THE DIFF.
Spot Prices (Cents/Gallon) as of May 6, 2013*
New York Harbor
New York Harbor
U.S. Midcontinent
No. 2 Fuel Oil / Heating Oil
No. 2 ULSD
No. 2 ULSD
2.763
2.915
2.875
Home Energy Bills Hit Lowest Percentage in 10 Years
consumers spent 2.7 percent of their household income on home energy bills in
2012, which was the lowest percentage in 10 years, according to a U.S. Energy Information
Administration (EIA) analysis released recently. Also, aggregate home energy expenditures by
U.S. households fell $12 billion in 2012 from the 2011 level. Warmer weather contributed to
lower energy consumption in 2012, and because household energy expenditures reflect both
prices and consumption, these changes resulted in lower household energy expenditures.
On average, households spent $1,945 on heating, cooling, appliances, electronics, and
lighting in 2012. This total includes home use of electricity, natural gas, fuel oil, propane,
kerosene, wood, and coal, but excludes fuels used for transportation. It also excludes
other household utilities such as water and telephone services. Using EIA projections for
2012 based on household data from the U.S. Census Bureau through 2010, $1,945 is the
lowest level since 2002. The percentage of household income spent on home energy bills
peaked at 4.3 percent in 1982 and steadily declined until it reached its lowest level since
1973 – 2.4 percent in 1999.
Senators Introduce Bill to Renew NORA
U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) recently introduced
new legislation that would renew or “reauthorize” the National Oilheat Research Alliance
(NORA) through 2019 and allow the industry to resume collection of a fee on heating oil
sales. The bill also requires NORA to increase investments into research & development
(especially into renewable fuels) and sets aside 15 percent of funds to directly assist con-
sumers in upgrading to more efficient heating systems or improving the efficiency and safety
of existing systems. The bill also provides funds for consumer education and employee
training. Joining Senators Shaheen and Collins as introductory co-sponsors were Senators
Blumenthal (D-CT), Cowan (D-MA), Coons (D-DE), Gillibrand (D-NY), Murphy (D-CT),
Reed (D-RI), Whitehouse (D-RI) and Sanders (I-VT). NORA supporters in the House of
Representatives are working on a companion bill to be introduced in the coming weeks.
“The New England Fuel Institute strongly supports the reauthorization of NORA as
essential to the advancement towards a more efficient and environmentally secure fuel,”
said NEFI President Michael C. Trunzo. “NORA is also vital in the proper training of
home energy technicians and, importantly, in communicating the facts about Oilheat
and Bioheat
®
to consumers and the general public. We will do all we can to further its
reauthorization in the Congress.”
American Energy Coalition Launches Online Store
The American Energy Coalition (AEC) recently announced the addition of an online
store accessible from the AEC Website, americanenergycoalition.org. Visitors can now
order the five current AEC bill inserts as well as AEC’s Natural Gas Fact Sheet. All six
pieces are available in lots of 500 each.
