In recent years, Massachusetts homeowners have heard about the commonwealth’s plans to reduce carbon emissions. The Clean Energy and Climate Plan proposes the replacement of one million natural gas, propane gas, and oil-fired residential heating systems with electric heat pumps by 2030 to help reduce carbon emissions.
But there are some fundamental questions and doubts about the feasibility of the plan, including the ability of the electric grid to handle the added electricity load of such a massive conversion to heat pumps.
Massachusetts fuel companies are already leading the way on sustainability with Bioheat® fuel, a clean-burning blend of ultra-low-sulfur heating oil and biofuel/biodiesel produced with recycled and organic materials such as animal fats, used cooking oil, and soybeans. Biofuel must meet rigid production specifications and it is a “drop-in” fuel that requires little or no heating system modifications
Biofuel offers a responsible, immediate path for carbon reduction. Biofuels reduce CO2 emissions by 76% to 86% over traditional petroleum heating oil. The fuel also helps eliminate sulfur oxides and particulate matter, which contribute to climate change problems and health issues.
The heating oil industry is on pace to achieve the same 2050 carbon-reduction goals as Massachusetts’ Decarbonization Roadmap — without saddling homeowners with unnecessary and expensive conversions to other energy sources.
Homeowners are using Bioheat fuel today across Massachusetts. It can be utilized with existing oil-fired equipment and is as economical as traditional heating oil. Bioheat fuel burns so cleanly, it is helping homeowners save money on system maintenance.
Nationwide, some three billion gallons of biofuel were consumed last year, and biofuel use is expected to exceed six billion gallons by 2030. This will eliminate over 35 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent greenhouse gas emissions annually. That is excellent news for the environment! Read more.
As we look for more ways to decarbonize our economy, Bioheat fuel is leading the way in Massachusetts and across the country.