Posted by: Judy Garber
Issue 160 - Oilheat Summit & AEC
Oilheat Industry Summit and AEC
These are two terms you will be hearing much about over the next couple of months and weeks.
September 15th, George McQueeney our National President and Ralph Adams, one of our National V.P's met me in Baltimore for the Oilheat Industry Summit. So that you have a idea of what took place at this Oilheat Industry Summit, here is a basic summary:
We heard about the current state of the industry – sadly in the past 10 years we have lost approximately 1,000,000 oilheat homes. John Maniscalco provided us with an idea of how much money will be needed to get NORA reauthorized. It appears that we will get at least another year.
Bob Hedden gave a presentation about the advantages of Ultra Low Sulfur Heating Oil, Michael Devine, gave us an update on the supply of Bio. Jonathan Beckett gave a presentation on their Solar Thermal Heating and how this technology no matter whose brand it is can work in harmony with oil heat. John Huber spoke about the Life Cycle Emissions of the New Fuel (this is probably the most important thing) and Michal Ferrante spoke about a Public Outreach – basically a government relations plan that is needed to educate our local, state and federal politicians.
Basically the theme of the day was the need for a combination of bio and low sulfur fuel – 15ppm to be exact. This will give us an advantage over gas heat. The group that included owners and association execs voted on a Resolution.
Now for AEC
The American Energy Coalition. I know that many of you reading this have expressed your frustrations about the FACT that NORA cannot make direct comparisons with other fuels. AEC can. They presented to the attendees a powerful campaign that will get our message out. We will be able to sell our story against other fuels in a factual manner. The materials shown included ads for billboards, radio, cable, print and a dynamic website. AEC has been in the background for almost 2 years. They received seed money from oil companies and some others to get the project started.
Bottom line – this undertaking will not be inexpensive. To get this program rolling it will take lots of money and everyone that works in the oilheating industry will be asked to chip in - whether you are an owner, manager, technician, manufacturer, receptionist, wholesaler, delivery driver, refiner or even an accountant - you will be asked to support this annual giving campaign.
I have been asked to be on the AEC Investment Committee. That means I will help in the fundraising effort. Shortly our committee will be provided with a powerful unified message about AEC that will help launch this financial appeal. We hope you agree that as a member of this industry you will want to contribute to the success of this orchestrated campaign.
After reading the Resolution, I trust that you too will feel excited about the future of oilheat. This new fuel will allow us to bring to our customers many new products quickly and easily and affordably – we will have the type of clean fuel that puts us in a position to be cleaner than our competition. Add this to a powerful ad campaign and we can combat many of the myths about oilheat.
Visit Oilheat Cares
Upon returning to my home on Tuesday I started checking e-mails and did I get an uplifting one. Oilheat Cares made the news in East New Haven - channel 8. You can view this video by going to www.oilheatcares.com. I promise it will make you feel good about being in the Oilheat Industry.
Judy Garber (email)
NAOHSM
P.O. Box 67
East Petersburg, PA 17520
Phone: 888-552-0900
Fax: 717-625-3077
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