This message was sent to ##Email##
To advertise in this publication please click here
|
|
.CEMA NEWS
Prioritizing the Energy Industry for COVID Vaccines
CEMA has been working with the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP), Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Department of Public Health (DPH) to secure the heating oil/Bioheat, propane, gasoline, fuel transport, storage terminal, and HVAC industries as critical infrastructure for the purposes of prioritizing COVID-19 vaccinations.
|
|
Winter Energy Cost Calculator
Typically this time of the month we provide a detailed chart showing the costs of conversion from heating oil to gas. This month we'll provide an abbreviated gas analysis, but also show how you can show a homeowner the total cost of heating using different energy sources, from heating oil to propane to gas, electric furnace and electric heat pumps. This is because we are no longer just under pressure from gas conversions, but also from electric conversions, especially heat pumps. First the gas analysis.
|
|
COVID Update — $10,000 Fines for Businesses Violating Rules
Last week, Governor Ned Lamont signed Executive Order No. 9N, increasing the amount that businesses can be fined for violations of the state's COVID-19 sector rules and capacity limits to $10,000 per violation. The order goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, November 26. The governor stated he took this action as the result of feedback he has received from municipal leaders, public health officials, and people from within the business community. The most recently authorized amount was a $500 fine.
|
|
EPA Issues Final Rule Streamlining ULSHO and ULSD
Report by Rick Schweitzer, NEFI Regulatory Counsel (rpschweitzer@rpslegal.com)
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a final rule streamlining its fuels programs and revising its Product Transfer Documents (PTDs) for fuel sellers. The final rule is expected to be published in the Federal Register in the next few days. The changes are described as providing regulatory relief to industry, and EPA asserts that the revisions will reduce compliance costs by at least $40 million per year. Although the rule will become effective on January 1, 2021, the revised requirements for PTDs will not become effective until May 21, 2021; voluntary compliance with the PTD revisions is authorized as of January 1, however.
|
|
CT Paid Family Leave Payroll Deductions Start Next Month
From the Wall Street Journal
Connecticut workers will start seeing a mandatory paycheck deduction in January for the state's new paid family leave program, which will begin paying out benefits in 2022. The program will be funded by a 0.5% tax on the wages of workers, with the maximum amount of income that can be taxed at $142,800. Employers aren't required to contribute to the program.
|
|
Year-End Tax Planning Doubleheader Webinars, Dec. 9 and Dec. 10
With less than a month to go in the year, we have two timely tax-planning webinars, both free, scheduled for next week. The first is presented by Gray, Gray and Gray on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 1 p.m., and the second is by PC Planning & Benefits, on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 11 a.m. Lots of good, practical information will be presented, and the two sessions will each present unique information and advice.
|
|
PGANE/NEFI Winter Weather Outlook Webinar Dec. 16
The Northeast Energy Weather Service will present two free winter forecast webinars with meteorologist John Bagioni. These detailed previews of the coming season are developed specifically for the Northeast heating fuel industry and highly recommended for all delivery companies' dispatch and inventory managers.
|
|
FMCSA Q&A Webinars for Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse
Report by Rick Schweitzer, NEFI Regulatory Counsel (rpschweitzer@rpslegal.com)
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has scheduled a number of live informational webinars designed to help motor carriers understand the requirements of the agency's Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. The presentations will focus on the actions Clearinghouse users need to take to comply with the FMCSA regulations and requirements in 49 CFR part 382 subpart G-Requirements and Procedures for Implementation of the Commercial Driver's License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.
|
|
Washington Update
Report by Jim Collura, NEFI Vice President & Director of Government Affairs (jim.collura@nefi.com)
Lawmakers return from Thanksgiving recess with only 11 days remaining to pass a year-end spending bill. While unlikely, failure to pass a spending bill would result in a government shutdown. It is unclear whether the two parties and President Trump will be able to agree to an omnibus bill that combines all 12 appropriations bills and funds the government through the end of the current fiscal year (September 30, 2021).
|
|
CEMA Aegis Magazine
Our semi-annual magazine is in the mail and should be arriving at member addresses shortly. Due to COVID, we did not publish an issue in the spring and so this is our only 2020 publication. You can also access an online "flipbook" version of the magazine here. In this issue, you’ll see some great guest writers, including Sean Cota, Roger Daviston, Rich Goldberg, Alan Levine and Michael Trunzo.
|
|
.INDUSTRY NEWS
Biden's economic team gets mixed reviews from Senate Republicans
The Hill
President-elect Joe Biden on Monday announced his choices for key members of his economic team, with Senate Republicans complimenting one of his top picks and bashing another. Biden said he would nominate former Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen to serve as Treasury secretary and Neera Tanden, the president of the liberal Center for American Progress think tank, for director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
|
|
Climate initiative could push gas prices higher than forecast
Common Wealth Magazine
A REGIONAL EFFORT led by Gov. Charlie Baker to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by putting a price on the carbon in vehicle fuels is likely to drive up the price of gasoline higher than earlier projected, according to a report by the Center for State Policy Analysis at Tufts University.
|
|
Top Baker aide says full steam ahead with TCI
Common Wealth Magazine
Governor Charlie Baker's top environmental official indicated on Monday that the administration is moving full steam ahead with a regional effort to put a price on the carbon contained in motor vehicle fuels. The governor himself has sent signals in recent weeks that his administration was re-evaluating its support for the so-called transportation climate initiative, or TCI, given the downturn in driving prompted by the coronavirus pandemic.
|
|
First climate warnings on gas pumps to appear in US
The Hill
The city of Cambridge, Massachusetts, will be the first in the U.S. to require warning labels on gas station pumps to help consumers better understand the risks associated with fossil fuel use and the climate change crisis. The city passed an ordinance in January that mandates warnings similar to those that appear on cigarette packages be placed at the pump. While it’s not clear at this time what the labels will look like, the warnings will include information about the effects of fossil fuel consumption on human health and the environment.
|
|
Senate confirms bipartisan pairing to FERC
Utility Dive
Confirming Clements and Christie gives the energy industry a sigh of relief after years of turnover on the commission. Clements will serve on the commission until 2024 and Christie until 2025. Glick is thought to be the favorite to chair FERC, based in part on his longer tenure at the commission. If appointed to the chair, he has said he would prioritize transmission policy, reassessing the wholesale capacity markets, and lowering market barriers for clean energy technologies.
|
|
One pandemic, two different worlds in Georgia runoff races
AP News
Across the grounds of a south Georgia courthouse, scores of masked and socially distanced voters bowed their heads in prayer for the 260,000-plus Americans who have died from the coronavirus.
Then Democratic Senate hopeful Raphael Warnock took the microphone, promising to push for more economic aid for businesses and people affected by the pandemic and touting Democratic plans to combat long-standing racial and wealth disparities highlighted by the crisis.
|
|
Gas taxes could increase next year under regional transportation initiative
NBC Connecticut
Thanksgiving is traditionally a big travel day for many Americans and by next year it might cost drivers a little more at the pump if the northeast governors from 12 states approve a climate initiative. “We believe that this misguided program can end up pulling Connecticut into a multi-state effort to lower emissions through punishing the people who can least afford it,” Chris Herb, president of the Connecticut Energy Marketers Association, said.
|
|
|
|
|
|
7701 Las Colinas Ridge, Ste. 800, Irving, TX 75063
|
