Ron Kotrba
- May 13, 2022
- 5 min read

Groups send letter to Congress highlighting oilheat industry policy priorities

A number of organizations, including state energy associations and Clean Fuels Alliance America, sent a letter to federal policymakers May 12 highlighting several policy priorities for the heating oil industry.

The industry is pursuing goals for reduced carbon, with Bioheat® fuel as a key tool. Several states—New York, Rhode Island and Connecticut—recently enacted policies to support increased use of Bioheat® fuel, with blend levels increasing to 20 percent biodiesel over time.

This winter, the industry faced high demand for heating fuel as well as high prices and short supplies for petroleum. Biodiesel and renewable diesel helped meet that demand with a cleaner, better fuel.

The letter reads as follows.

The undersigned organizations, representing mostly small Main Street energy providers, urge immediate action in response to global events and resulting extreme volatility in the energy markets.

Our retail members—often referred-to as “fuel dealers”—are multigenerational family businesses that deliver a safe, reliable, and efficient heating fuel to 5.6 million American homes. In many cases this fuel, once referred to “heating oil,” is blended with biodiesel and other advanced biofuels to immediately and significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) in the heating sector. With support from the National Oilheat Research Alliance and the biofuel industry, fuel dealers and appliance manufacturers are continually and voluntarily increasing the amount of advanced biofuels blended into the fuel supply to comply with or exceed the GHG reductions demanded in many states. It also improves fuel performance, supports rural economies, and contributes to energy and environmental security.

Unlike gas and electric utilities, our retail members personally deliver heating fuels and related products and services to American homes. They are active in the communities they serve and have longstanding relationships with customers that often span generations. As a result, they see firsthand the hardship that inflation is causing millions of Americans and are doing all they can to help. They may offer fuel at discounted rates to low-income families, cost-saving fixed price or pre-payment plans, and budgeting options. Many participate in state energy assistance programs and donate fuel to vulnerable seniors, disabled veterans, and active-duty military families.

Like their customers, heating fuel dealers also struggle in high-price environments. Retailers experience strained lines of credit with banks and suppliers and increased cash demands upon loading at the terminal. Some mistakenly blame wholesale and retail fuel dealers for high prices and accuse them of “price gouging,” despite the fact these businesses operate in very competitive markets that discourages such activities. Our members are working to educate consumers on the causes of the energy crisis and identify programs and resources that may provide even the smallest amount of relief.

Congress must do its part to help struggling families and small businesses, address global climate change, and enhance American energy security during this crisis. Our recommendations include:

Offer heating fuel dealers 100 percent guaranteed SBA loans for all receivables aged 60 to 200 days for a six-month period following anytime heating oil futures exceed $3 per gallon. This will prevent localized supply disruptions and layoffs that might result when traditional banking relationships fail to fund critical inventories and payroll during historic high price episodes.

Increase and expand the Section 25C tax credit for cost-saving home efficiency upgrades. The existing credit has a $500 lifetime cap and offers only $150 for installation of a more efficient furnace or boiler. This will not incentivize a homeowner to upgrade an existing system, which can cost at least $9,000 for a typical home. Congress should therefore increase the credit to 30 percent of the cost of installation with no caps or limits. The credit should also be refundable and fuel neutral, so all homeowners benefit fully, irrespective of income level or the type of heating fuel they prefer to use. Congress should incentivize installation of the most efficient system available for every fuel on the market and, for oilheat consumers, systems designed to utilize high blends of advanced biofuels.

Enact long-term extensions for all renewable fuel tax incentives. Blending biodiesel and other advanced biofuels into home heating oil not only reduces emissions but can also lower costs. Unfortunately, most renewable fuel tax incentives are set to expire at the end of the year. Their lapse will result in significant market disruptions and an increase in greenhouse gas emissions. We urge Congress to extend the biodiesel, renewable diesel, and cellulosic biofuel tax credits for a minimum of three years. It is worth noting the cellulosic biofuel tax credit will support the production of ethyl levulinate (EL), a net-negative carbon liquid fuel being developed in northern New England for use in the heating oil market.

Encourage greater U.S. energy production. In response to the events in Europe, Congress should take steps to increase production of conventional energy resources here at home. This will reduce energy costs while providing time to deploy more efficient technologies and renewable fuels to reduce fossil fuel use and address climate change.

Boost fuel assistance to $5.1 billion for fiscal year 2023, with an additional $500 million contingency fund for emergencies. We are grateful for the unprecedented level of funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program throughout the pandemic. Our members continue to see an unprecedented level of need for fuel assistance, however, as Americans continue to face economic hardship due to historic inflation and geopolitical events beyond their control.

Increase funding for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to $365 million as per its budget request. Thanks to recent Senate confirmations, the CFTC now has a full slate of commissioners ready to carry out its important work of policing fraud, manipulation, and excessive speculation in the commodity futures markets. This CFTC is historically underfunded and needs more resources to tackle today’s challenges. Congress should also inquire with Commissioner Behnam on any additional authorities that might assist with its important mission.

While not an exhaustive list of policy options at your disposal, these proposals would constitute meaningful relief for our members and their consumers. It is imperative that these actions be taken well in advance of the next heating season. We are happy to meet with you to discuss these matters further.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Berks-Schuylkill Oil Heat Association

Better Home Heat Council of the Lehigh Valley

Clean Fuels Alliance America

Connecticut Energy Marketers Association

Delaware Valley Energy Marketers Association

Empire State Energy Association

Energy Marketers of America

Energy Marketers Association of New Hampshire

Energy Marketers Association of Rhode Island

Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey