Last year’s resolution by the heating oil industry to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 represented a significant step forward by the industry to help ease the effects climate change.
The resolution also puts the industry on the path to achieving a 50% blend of renewable Bioheat® – a blend of ultra-low sulfur heating oil and biodiesel – which would reduce carbon emissions by 40%.
The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (MA DOER) says that the transition to Bioheat contributes to “the Commonwealth’s clean energy goals by increasing energy efficiency and reducing the need for conventional fossil fuel-based power generation.”* In fact, the increased use of Bioheat has already reduced heating oil use by 35 million gallons from January 2018 to January 2020.
Now that heating oil has been reformulated as Bioheat, it is considered an alternative energy source in Massachusetts, and heating oil companies are eligible to receive alternative energy credits if they deliver renewable Bioheat at a 10% blend level or more.
Alternative energy credits provide tangible environmental benefits. Currently, nearly 80 retail heating oil companies are participating in the credit program. The credits increase the likelihood that more and more heating oil companies will begin delivering higher blends of Bioheat, and this will help Massachusetts meet is stated greenhouse gas emissions reductions goals.
As a heating oil customer, you can be assured that your heating system requires no system modifications to accommodate Bioheat.
Bioheat is sourced and produced right here in the United States. Bioheat supports local farmers, local industries and a local economy. But that’s just the beginning. Consumers who use Bioheat benefit from:
*Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, https://www.mass.gov/about-doer