Five of the most prominent Northeast heating oil trade associations announced Sept. 1 a collaborative effort to accelerate consumer awareness of clean, renewable Bioheat and educate retail heating oil companies on the urgent need to begin offering Bioheat to their customers.

The campaign, "One Industry―One Choice," has been launched by the Energy Marketers Association of Rhode Island, the Empire State Energy Association, the Connecticut Energy Marketers Association, the Massachusetts Energy Marketers Association, and the New York State Energy Coalition. The campaign is also being supported by the National Oilheat Research Alliance and the National Biodiesel Board.

In a joint statement, the association's executives said, "The heating oil industry is facing significant challenges from lawmakers, policy makers and environmental advocates who want to put our member companies out-of-business as they seek solutions to climate change. Our industry has an immediate solution―Bioheat fuel. We must do everything in our power to secure a stable future for the heating oil industry by educating heating oil retailers on the benefits of Bioheat blends, providing support to retailers transitioning to providing Bioheat to their customers, and making heating oil customers more aware of the value of clean, renewable Bioheat."

To reach consumers, the new campaign will utilize social media and web-based display advertising that will lead consumers to a vast amount of information on www.mybioheat.com and the association websites. For retailers, five virtual education sessions will be offered in September covering Bioheat Supply & Infrastructure, Bioheat Operational Performance, Bioheat Retail Success Stories, Bioheat Marketing, and Bioheat: The Electrification Solution.