Category Archives: Online Courses

23Jun/25

NORA Expands List of Accredited Technical Schools

Education, NORA, Online Courses, technology,

NORA is proud to announce the expansion of its list of participating technical schools offering the Bronze Technician Training as part of the NORA Technician Education Program. This initiative, which aims to enhance workforce development and strengthen the future of the liquid heating fuels industry, now includes several new institutions committed to excellence in HVAC and energy efficiency training.

NORA Certified Technical Schools certified in 2025

• JP Keefe High School, Van Buren, ME

• Advanced Trade School, Brentwood, NH

• D.F. Richard Energy, Dover, NH

• Palmer Gas & Oil, Atkinson, NH

• Stafford Technical Center, Rutland, VT

• Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School, Haverhill, MA

• Bristol Technical Education Center, Bristol, CT

• Norbert E Mitchell, Danbury, CT

• State University of NY (SUNY) at Morrisville, Morrisville, NY

The NORA Education Program is dedicated to promoting technical education and professional growth in the liquid heating fuels industry. By partnering with accredited technical schools, the program provides students and professionals with access to modern training resources, certifications, and hands-on experience with the latest heating technologies.

“We are excited to expand our network of technical schools to better serve students seeking careers in heating technologies,” said Bob O’Brien, Director of Education at NORA. “This growth supports our mission ensuring a well-trained workforce prepared for the evolving needs of the liquid heating fuel sector and its customers.”

With the addition of these new partner schools, NORA continues to prepare the next generation of technicians with tools and knowledge essential to maintaining and upgrading America’s home heating systems—particularly as the industry shifts toward low-carbon liquid fuels.

25Jul/23

In the Loop with NORA

Biofuels, Carbon Reduction, Education, NORA, Online Courses, Research

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.

03Apr/23

Stay “In the LOOP”

Biofuels, Carbon Reduction, Education, NORA, Online Courses, Research

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.

04Feb/22

NORA Announces New President

Biofuels, Education, Equipment, NORA, Online Courses, Projects

The National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA) has announced the appointment of Michael Devine as incoming President following the retirement of current President John Huber effective March 1, 2022. Devine comes to NORA after having served as Vice President of Sales & Business Development for World Energy.

As part of the Senior Management Team, he managed day to day activities for sales and volumes at terminals, prepared monthly and annual budgets and developed key national accounts including FedEx, UPS, Chevron, Ryder, The Union Pacific Railroad and others. Prior to his time at World Energy, he was the CEO and founder of Earth Energy Alliance where he assisted the petroleum distribution industry in reducing the carbon footprint of their fuel by increasing the use of renewable liquid fuels. 

Michael Devine

Devine has deep roots in the oilheat industry. He began his career in his family’s business, Devine Brothers of Norwalk, CT. He started as a truck driver and service technician, growing into roles as sales manager, vice president and president of the 50+ employee, third- generation business. He is a member of the NORA board and has been a positive and active voice in supporting the oilheat and liquid heating fuels industry for decades. 

NORA Board Chairman, Roger Marran announced, “We are excited about having Michael join the talented NORA team as president. He is an exemplary leader with the ability to further build on NORA’s success with his extensive knowledge and passion for the oilheat, biofuels and liquid fuels industry. He will help us expand on our mission of enabling renewable cleaner fuels, more efficient heating system and a highly educated technical workforce and is committed to NORA’s vision to provide better solutions for American consumers and businesses with cleaner, more efficient and more reliable heat and hot water systems.

Devine succeeds NORA’s founding President John Huber, who is retiring after a 22-year career with NORA. John will continue in his current role as President through early 2022 and will continue to provide support for Michael to ensure a successful transition period. Devine commented, “I’m honored to be selected as the next President of NORA. NORA has been critical to advancing the heating oil industry for over two decades. The challenges to our industry are great, but with the resources of NORA and the committed leadership of NORA’s Board, retailers and wholesalers throughout the country, we will develop the best path forward for this great industry.”

 NORA was authorized by Congress in 2000 to generate funding for the Oilheating industry to provide more efficient and more reliable heat and hot water to American consumers. NORA’s efforts focus on Consumer Education, Professional Education, Energy Efficiency & Safety and Research. For more information on NORA’s activities go to NORAweb.org.

15Oct/20

NORA Adds to Online Gold courses with Advanced Venting

Education, NORA, Online Courses, technology

The National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA) is pleased to announce the release of a new Gold Series online course, Advanced Venting, paving the way for achieving NORA Gold Technician Certification online.

Advanced Venting joins three other Gold Certification Series online courses, Advanced Hydronics, Advanced Efficiency and Advanced Heating Fuel Storage Tanks, to offer NORA silver certified technicians the opportunity to complete, on-line, four of the advanced gold courses necessary to upgrade to Gold Certification status. 

Gold is the top tier of NORA’s Technician Certification program and describes professionals who have advanced training in a variety of programs, but more importantly describes individuals who are continuously working to improve their performance. 

NORA president, John Huber, in accordance with NORA’s mandate to provide the industry with technical education, said, “Adding Advanced Venting to NORA’s online course library is an important step as it allows technicians to pursue and complete their Gold certification upgrade without the need for travel to live classes. This lowers the barriers to acquiring the knowledge needed today.”

Each of the Advanced Gold series courses also offer six NORA continuing education units (CEUs) which can be applied to upgrading from Bronze Certification to Silver Certification as well as renewal of existing Silver or Gold certifications.

The Advanced venting course is based on NORA’s Advanced Venting manual, authored by Tim Begoske of Field Controls. It can be found at NORA’s learning website, Learning.NORAweb.org. 

28Jul/20

Three New Online Courses

Biofuels, Coures, Education, Equipment, NORA, Online Courses

The National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA) has added three new online courses to its training center at Learning.NORAweb.org. Two of them, Advanced Heating Fuel Storage Tanks and Advanced Efficiency, are components of NORA’s technician Gold Certification program and offer six continuing education credits (CEU) each. The third, Bioheat® Technical Guidance offers one credit.

Advanced Heating Fuel Storage Tanks and Advanced Efficiency join Advanced Hydronincs as online courses providing three of the requisite four advanced Gold Series courses necessary to upgrade to NORA Gold Certified Technician status.

According to NORA’s President, John Huber, “It is important for technicians to have the ability to upgrade their certifications online. With the addition of these Gold courses, we are very near that goal.” NORA anticipates adding two more Gold courses in the coming months.

“Video courses are an efficient and popular way to put important training material in front of as many technicians and students in the field as possible. They are free to the user and now that travel is restricted and many industry conferences have been cancelled, online courses are a great solution to maintaining certifications and gaining knowledge,” said NORA’s Director of Education, John Levey.

These three courses join the library of courses already on the site. These cover topics from equipment service to oil delivery to tank installation.
To access the courses, a technician or student must have an active user account at Learning.NORAweb.org.