Tag Archives: biofuels

01Aug/24

Recent AIP Instructors Recognized

Biofuels, Education, NORA, technology, , , , ,
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.
More about NORA’s Accredited Instructor Program

Hear what they have to say about NORA’s AIP

01Aug/24

NORA to Contribute to Exploring Biodiesel Seminar

Biofuels, Carbon Reduction, Education, Equipment, NORA, Research, technology, , , , ,

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

Inflation Reduction Act Recognizes Low-Carbon Liquid Heating Fuels for GHG Reductions

Biofuels, Carbon Reduction, Equipment, Uncategorized, , , ,
Congress and President Biden have recognized the critical role that the transition to low-carbon biofuels in homes heated with fuel oil will play in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), includes legislation that incentivizes the heating oil industry to improve the efficiency of its equipment while increasing the amount of biodiesel blended into the fuel. Both are essential in reaching the goal of reducing GHG emissions to zero. The IRA encourages the liquid heating fuels industry to continue to move forward with its transformation to a clean and green heating source.

This bill’s enactment was largely due to the efforts of Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY), representing the State that uses the most heating oil.The IRA provides for homeowner tax credits of $600 for each new oil/biofuel blend compatible heating appliance.

Congress has set two major steps/goals to qualify:
For equipment placed in service after Dec. 31, 2022, the equipment must meet 2021 Energy Star efficiencies and be suitable for a 20% blend of biodiesel or renewable diesel use.
For equipment placed in service after Dec. 31, 2026, the equipment must have an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) of at least 90% and be suitable for a 50% blend of biodiesel or renewable diesel use.  

Michael Devine, President of the National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA), commented, “These are achievable goals for our industry. Most oil burner manufacturers are already compliant with the 20% biodiesel blend minimum for next year and plan to have models that meet the 2027 requirement of 50% biodiesel or renewable diesel in 2023. This is very exciting news as it indicates Congress’ endorsement of our industry’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions in heating fuels. It provides guideposts for a reasonable path forward in reducing greenhouse gases in fuel and improving equipment.”

The oil heating industry has been on the path to reducing GHG emissions for years with the widespread adoption of blending biodiesel (an advanced biofuel) into traditional heating oil. Additionally, States in the Northeast have included mandates or other incentives to include the blended fuel in their master energy plans. NORA, in concert with research partners such as Clean Fuel Alliance of America (CFAA), Brookhaven National Laboratory, oilfired heating equipment manufacturers and numerous heating oil retail marketers, has thoroughly tested, both in the laboratory and in the field, the blended fuels for safety, efficiency, reliability and GHG reductions.

Environmental groups that have been championing GHG reduction strategies had this to say about the IRA.

The Natural Resources Defense Council
“This is the most significant action the U.S. has ever taken to combat climate change. It will benefit the people of all 50 States—their health, their wallets, their homes and their future. And it will help the U.S. deliver on its undeniable responsibility to the rest of the world to do its part to address this global crisis. The House needs to come back quickly to cement this essential climate action. There is no time to waste. This bill is not perfect, but from a climate pollution perspective, the positives heavily outweigh the negatives—by a factor of 10.” 

The Rocky Mountain Institute“This legislation gives the U.S. a real chance to reach its Paris Agreement—while lowering costs for American households.”

The World Wildlife Fund
Among the most important provisions are the $9 billion in consumer home energy rebates. This includes 10 years of tax credits aimed at allowing American homes to run on more energy efficient and clean systems, which will save them money. 

With the passage of the IRA, homeowners can invest in new, more efficient and environmentally-beneficial heating systems with consumer federal tax incentives, provided by the Government. By upgrading their heating system, they will know they are taking the appropriate path towards a zero-carbon future.