According to a new analysis by Dr. Tom Butcher of the National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA), the industry has surpassed its goal of reducing GHGs 15% by 2023, achieving a nearly 26% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions through a combination of energy efficiency improvements and increased use of renewable fuels such as Bioheat® Fuel, a blend of sustainable biodiesel with conventional home heating oil.

“The heating oil industry has made significant strides in reducing its carbon footprint over the past five years,” said Sean Cota, President & CEO of the industry’s Washington-based trade association, the National Energy & Fuels Institute (NEFI).

“These mostly small, multi-generational family businesses are playing an outsized role in carbon reduction in the Northeast,” Cota added. “They will continue to prove pivotal in the years to come as governments at all levels seek to achieve ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals in a manner that is equitable and achievable, and that preserves energy security and reliability.”

At its sixth annual industry summit, held in Weehawken, New Jersey this week, the industry celebrated numerous successes and innovations, including:

• UL standards that recognize higher biofuel blends in oil-fired heating equipment
• Manufacturers introducing burners and heating systems to the market that are certified for blends of up to 100% biodiesel (B100)
• New federal tax credits for homeowners who upgrade to more efficient oil-fired furnaces and boilers that are designed for use with higher blends of renewable fuels
• Securing federal grants for downstream biofuel infrastructure investments for heating oil

Working closely with state governments, heating oil state associations advocated for biofuel blending requirements in Connecticut, New York and Rhode Island that will eventually require blends as high as 50-percent. Additionally, heating oil blended with biofuels are expected to generate credits under emerging “clean heat standards” now being developed in Massachusetts and Vermont, and in the early stages of development in several other Northeast states.

Renewable fuels have proven to be an immediate, cost-effective, and equitable means of reducing emissions in the building sector, particularly for the nearly five million Northeast homes and businesses that rely on heating oil dealers for warmth and comfort each winter.

“There is still work ahead, and we are ready for the challenge,” said NEFI Board Chair Ray Hart, a full-service heating oil dealer based out of Long Island, New York.

“This is an industry of hard-working American men and women that care deeply for their neighbors, their local communities, and the environment,” he said. “Together, we can achieve great heights.”

ABOUT THE NATIONAL ENERGY & FUELS INSTITUTE (NEFI)
Since 1942, NEFI has been a leading voice for wholesale and retail liquid heating fuel distributors and related services companies in Washington, DC and throughout the country. Its members are mostly small, multigenerational family businesses that deliver warmth and comfort to millions of American homes. NEFI hosts annual summits, such as today’s event in Weehawken, NJ, that provide an opportunity for stakeholders to gather and discuss pathways to voluntarily achieve carbon reduction goals consistent with industry commitments, including widespread deployment of renewable liquid heating fuels and high efficiency technologies. More at www.nefi.com.

Contact: Heather Buechter, 479-651-7301, hbuechter@cleanfuels.org

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JEFFERSON CITY, MO – A recent Life Cycle Assessment conducted by Sustainable Solutions Corporation (SSC) for the United Soybean Board (USB) and the National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA) reveals a significant reduction in the carbon footprint of U.S. Soy throughout its cultivation, harvesting, transportation and processing stages. The assessment highlights a notable 22% decrease in the carbon footprint associated with U.S. production of crude soy oil, which is a key feedstock for U.S. biodiesel, renewable diesel and SAF producers.

Soybean production and oil processing constitute more than 40% of the carbon intensity (CI) score for soy biodiesel. The improvements documented in this report are expected to translate into reductions in CI across the clean fuels industry.

Clean Fuels Alliance America assisted USB and NOPA in ensuring the data collected for processors in the report aligns with data specifications for GREET, so it could be easily integrated into GREET model updates.

“We look forward to working with Argonne National Laboratory through the data quality assessment process to update the GREET model to reflect the latest improvements in the industry,” said Veronica Bradley, Environmental Scientist at Clean Fuels Alliance America.

The Life Cycle Assessment of U.S. Soybeans, Soybean Meal, and Soy Oil report can be found here.

Materials supported by the United Soybean Board, soybean farmers and their checkoffs.

About United Soybean Board (USB): United Soybean Board’s 77 volunteer farmer-leaders work on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers to achieve maximum value for their soy checkoff investments. These volunteers create value by investing in research, education and promotion with the vision to deliver sustainable soy solutions to every life, every day across the three priority areas of Infrastructure & Connectivity, Health & Nutrition, and Innovation & Technology. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff. For more information on USB, visit unitedsoybean.org.

About National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA): Founded in 1930, NOPA is the national trade organization located in Washington, DC representing the U.S. soybean, canola, flaxseed, safflower seed, and sunflower seed crushing industries. Our 15 members operate a total of 62 soybean & 5 softseed solvent extraction plants across 21 states. NOPA members produce meal and oil used in human food, animal feed, fuel and for industrial applications. Collectively, NOPA members process 95 percent of all soybeans in the U.S. which accounts to over 2 billion bushels annually. For more information on NOPA, visit nopa.org.  

Contact: Heather Buechter, hbuechter@cleanfuels.org.

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Prior to joining Clean Fuels Alliance America, Veronica was Director of Environmental Affairs at Airlines for America where she assisted in environmental advocacy activities relating to aircraft and airline operations. She was previously a Research Associate at ICF where she supported the Climate Change and Stratospheric Ozone Protection Divisions for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A Michigan native, Veronica received her Bachelor of Arts degree with distinction from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor magna cum laude from American University Washington College of Law.

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