The NORA Board of Directors meeting will be held on May 19, 2025 at 3:30 pm at the Harrahs Atlantic city
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Recent AIP Instructors Recognized
NORA is pleased to recognize the trainers who completed the second NORA Accredited Instructor Program (AIP), Nick Povio, Binsky Home Heating; John Ringel, Energy Kinetics; Marc Gilbert, Central Main Community College, Michael Elmer, PPATEC; Ed Wagner, J&K Sales; Joel Nawkson, FSI Oil & Propane; Raymond Conte, NH School of Mechanical Trades and Taylor Donlon,, Donlon Brothers at NORA’s Research & Education center in Plainview, NY, under the tutelage of professional education trainer Brenda Huber. The NORA Accredited Instructor program was developed to ensure service professionals trained in NORA schools, unions, and by companies in the liquid heating fuels industry have been provided with an education that positions them, their customers, and their companies for success. The service professionals in the liquid heating fuels industry are the first and most important contacts with customers. They are responsible not only for ensuring the heating system is operating at maximum efficiency, safety and reliability, but also with how customers perceive their liquid fuel heating, their adoption of renewable fuels and how comfortable they are with staying with their liquid fuel heating system. The program began with a prepared presentation by each of the participants. These were critiqued by the instructor as well as others in the class to establish a baseline. From there, the instructor took the participants through the teaching process to elevate their lessons from simply conveying facts to creating a meaningful total-learning experience for the students. The NORA Accredited Instructor program’s emphasis is to present the curriculum in such a way that students “own” the information and not just hear it. |
L to R: Ed Wagner, J&K Sales; Michael Elmer, PPATEC; Chris Grenier, J&K Sales; Joel Nawkson, FSI Oil & Propane; Bob O’Brien, NORA; Brenda Huber, Instructor; Nick Povio, Binsky Home Services, Taylor Donlon, Donlon Brothers; Marc Gilbert, Central Main Community College and John Ringel, Energy Kinetics, Inc.

Hear what they have to say about NORA’s AIP
NORA to Contribute to Exploring Biodiesel Seminar
XBX|Exploring Biodiesel series of seminars will continue August 21 at the New England Aquarium, Boston, MA.
This session, Navigating the Future, will center around the core questions that middle distillate supply chain participants must address to ensure a successful transition to low-carbon renewable biofuels, including:
- Is the production of bio-based diesel fuels scalable to meet demand in existing and emerging markets while still being economically viable?
- Is our infrastructure robust and reliable?
- Are we effectively communicating our decarbonization story to the public?
- What is the cost of inaction?
NORA, whose mission is to remove carbon emissions from home heating, will be represented on two panel discussions.
Nora’s president, Michael Devine, will be part of a panel discussion titled “Operational Integration, Getting Ready to Roll” about preparing customer-facing representatives to effectively communicate the benefits of low-carbon liquid fuels to end users and what, if any, operational transitions might be needed.
Dr. Jenny Frank, NORA Research Associate, will contribute to the panel discussion “Monetizing the Transition” which will examine the financial aspects of adopting advanced renewable fuels.
Registration and more detailed information for August 21 in Boston can be found here.
Additionally, XBX|Navigating the Future will host another seminar on October 15 in Lancaster, PA.
More about XBX at exploringbiofuels.com
In the Loop with NORA
with NORA Podcast
New podcast series looks at how the liquid fuel heating industry lowers carbon emissions from homes along with an emphasis
on heating system efficiencies and technical education.
In this episode of In the Loop, we hear from three industry leaders at the 2023 Eastern Energy Expo about the transition to low carbon liquid heating fuels.
Up first, we chat with Rick Bologna, VP of Westmore Fuel, to understand why dealers need to add biofuels to their product lineup now, as fuel and equipment advancements are making the transition to higher blend fuels more attainable.
Next, we talk with Cate Duffey, President of DE Duffey & Sons, and hear her perspective on incorporating higher blend fuels into a 125-year old company.
Finally, we speak to Dave Westerfield with Jennings Oil to learn how his company has progressed by including higher blends in their business operations.
In the Loop takes a deeper look at research initiatives, equipment considerations, renewable fuels, carbon reduction and technical education, propelling us towards a low-carbon future. For more information, vis
To hear Episode 1 and future episodes, go to www.IntheLoopwithNORA.org or visit NORA.web.org.
In the Loop with NORA is also currently available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music.
First Accredited Trainer Class
NORA is pleased to recognize the trainers to complete the inaugural NORA Accredited Instructor program. Joseph Maroney, RW Beckett Corp; Christopher Bolobanic, Electrical Training Center; Wayne Lawrence, Petro Home Services; Ronald Mannino, Technical Heating and Robert O’Brien, Oil & Energy Service Professionals all completed the course at NORA’s Research & Education center in Plainview, NY on June 8th under the tutelage of professional education trainer Brenda Huber.
Michael Devine, NORA President stated, “I am extremely proud of the commitment of these educators who completed this three-day workshop with the goal of improving their training skills. They prepared lessons, studied best-training techniques and then were evaluated by their instructor and their peers. I have no doubt when they return to the classroom their students will benefit, as will our industry.”
The NORA Accredited Instructor program was developed to ensure technicians trained in NORA schools, unions, and by companies in the liquid heating fuels industry have been provided with an education that positions them, their customers, and their companies for success. The service professionals in the liquid heating fuels industry are the first and most important contacts with customers. They are responsible not only for ensuring the heating system is operating at maximum efficiency, safety and reliability, but also with how customers perceive their liquid fuel heating, their adoption of renewable fuels and how comfortable they are with staying with their liquid fuel heating system.
The class began with a prepared presentation by each of the participants.These were critiqued by the instructor as well as others in the class to establish a baseline. From there, the instructor took the participants through the teaching process to elevate their lessons from simply conveying facts to creating a meaningful total-learning experience for the students. The NORA Accredited Instructor program’s emphasis is to present the curriculum in such a way that students “own” the information and not just hear it. Ms. Huber, the instructor for the course commented, “I was impressed with the trainers’ willingness to hear critiques from their peers and make improvements to their teaching.”
Devine also noted, “Our industry is concerned with shortages of qualified service technicians. The best way to have qualified personnel is to hire good people and train them. These newly accredited trainers made a commitment to improving their own teaching skills. NORA thanks them for their dedication.”
These first five Accredited instructors will be posted on NORA’s website, as will all additional trainers who complete the course.
If you are a learning institution or trainer and are interested participating in NORA’s Accredited Instructor program, please contact NORA’s Director of Education, Bob O’Brien at [email protected].

Left to Right: Christopher Bolobanic, Wayne Lawrence, Joseph Maroney, Michael Devine, Brenda Huber, Robert O’Brien and Ronald Mannino
NORA at Eastern Energy Expo
NORA will have a strong educational and technical presence at the upcoming Eastern Energy Expo in Atlantic City, NJ.
Three important NORA Business Track sessions begin with In the Loop–New Business & Education Opportunities on Tuesday, May 23 at 8:15am in Room 419 at the Atlantic City Convention Center. This session features NORA’s President, Michael Devine and Director of Education, Bob O’Brien along with the introduction of NORA’s most recent team addition, Dr. Jenny Frank.
Immediately following will be Technical Innovations to Make the Transition to Low-Carbon Fuels Seamless and Effective presented by NORA’s Technical Director, Dr. Thomas Butcher.
On Wednesday, May 24 at 8am (breakfast provided by NORA and Clean Fuels America) in Room 412, NORA is hosting the Featured Session, The Industry’s Response to Carbon Reduction where you will hear a panel offering the most current information on the research, field work, personal experiences and future technologies to show how becoming a low carbon fuel marketer is well within the grasp of a liquid fuel heating retailer. The panel features Michael Devine and Dr. Thomas Butcher, NORA; Kevin Beckett, R.W. Beckett Corp.; Rich Lyons, Carlin Combustion Technologies; Jackie Hart, Hart Home Comfort; Jason Lawrence, Chevron/REG and moderator Don Farrell, Indoor Comfort Marketing.
As one of the 220 exhibitors at the Eastern Energy Expo Trade Show, NORA will be showing live-fire demonstrations of biodiesel and renewable diesel in its outdoor exhibit OD2.
NORA’s recently released podcast series, In the Loop with NORA will be on-hand at the expo to talk with a variety of industry experts about how the liquid fuels heating industry is removing carbon emissions from home heating.
The Eastern Energy Expo is the largest energy and indoor comfort event in the Northeast. You can find more about the NORA sessions, the entire Eastern Energy Expo program, the trade show and registration at the Eastern Energy Expo website.
NORA Adds Research Associate
Dr. Jenny Frank has joined NORA as a Research Associate to further advance its work in the field of carbon reduction from home heating. Her time will be divided among NORA research strategies and projects while maintaining her position in academia.
Dr. Frank is an Assistant Professor of Renewable Energy at the State University of New York at Morrisville (SUNY Morrisville) where she teaches courses pertaining to energy systems, economics, and policy. She received her Ph.D. from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) where she studied renewable energy pathways. Dr. Frank’s research focuses on techno-economic analysis to qualify the long-term environmental, financial, and technical viability of diverse energy technologies and feedstocks. Dr. Frank has published several studies in various peer-reviewed journals.
According to NORA’s Director of Research, Dr. Thomas Butcher. “Dr. Frank provides NORA with specific expertise on renewable energies and their long-term viability. As we continue to push further and further towards Zero-Carbon home heating, Dr. Frank will be a valuable asset to NORA and the liquid heating fuel industry.”
Michael Devine, NORA’ President added, “We are very pleased that Dr. Frank has joined the NORA team as a Research Associate. Dr. Frank and Dr. Butcher are going collaborate and continue to expand our activities at NORA, as well as identify additional research & development opportunities as we continue on the path to eliminating carbon from home heating.”
Stay “In the LOOP”
with New NORA Podcast
New podcast series looks at how the liquid fuel heating industry lowers carbon emissions from homes along with an emphasis
on heating system efficiencies and technical education.
NORA has released the first episode of its new podcast series In the Loop with NORA.
Episode 1 looks at how quickly and effectively low-carbon liquid fuels can be integral in reducing a homes carbon output to below zero. Hear how Dr. Thomas Butcher, NORA Technical Director, has converted his typical Long Island, NY house into a Net Zero Carbon Home by partnering Bioheat® fuel with solar panels.
According to Dr. Butcher. “It shows that the liquid fuel industry has a pathway to achieve net-zero emissions very quickly. There is a strong value in reducing carbon emissions now…and we can do it.”
NORA’s President, Michael Devine offered his vision for the new series. “Future episodes of In the Loop with NORA will take a deeper look at research initiatives, equipment considerations, renewable fuels, carbon reduction and technical education. NORA and the entire liquid heating fuels industry have been on an accelerated path to eliminating carbon from home heating. In The Loop with NORA gives NORA the opportunity to share all this good technical & training information in an easy to digest and entertaining conversational format. With availability at NORAweb.org, along with major podcast platforms, In the Loop with NORA can be listened to almost anywhere.“
To hear Episode 1 and future episodes, go to www.IntheLoopwithNORA.org or visit NORA.web.org.
In the Loop with NORA is also currently available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music.
Technicians Manual Now in Audio & Digital formats
In keeping with the National Oilheat Research Alliance’s (NORA) ongoing commitment to technician education and to enable access to educational materials, it has just released its Technicians Manual for Liquid Heating Fuels in audio format.
Each chapter of the manual is available in a standard .mp3 audio file that can be played on all mobile devices, as well as desktop computers. The audio follows the text of the manual allowing for multi-sensory learning. Additionally, each chapter is available to download in a .pdf format.
According to NORA’s president Michael Devine, “Making high quality learning resources available to liquid fuel heating technicians is one of NORA’s highest priorities. Whether used as a stand-alone resource or in conjunction with NORA’s technician certification program, the manual and its audio component can bring this material to an even wider range of students and technicians.”
The audio version of the manual, along with the pdfs and a link to purchase a hard copy can be found at NORA’s online education and resource center, Learning.NORAweb.org/manual.