Heating oil must be 2% biodiesel in New York City

As New York City residents prepare for another winter, they can take comfort in knowing their oilheat is the cleanest in the nation.

Starting October 1, every gallon of oilheat in the city must contain at least 2 percent biodiesel. The blend is known as Bioheat fuel, a greener heating oil that is gaining popularity in Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states.

In 2010, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed an air quality bill that included the Bioheat provision for heating homes and buildings.  A New York State bill also required a switch to Ultra Low Sulfur Heating Oil, which took place in July.

“In passing this legislation, we set the stage to prevent the burning of 20 million gallons of petroleum each year,” said City Councilman James F. Gennaro, who sponsored the legislation. “This is the carbon equivalent of taking 30,000 cars off the road in New York City.”

Biodiesel used in Bioheat fuel is eligible to meet the federal Renewable Fuels Standard, which requires 1 billion gallons of biomass-based diesel be blended into the fuel supply in 2012. 

“The city has embraced this progressive change, and we’ve encountered zero resistance to Bioheat,” said John Maniscalco, CEO of the New York Oil Heating Association.  “That’s partly due to the intense educational efforts we’ve engaged in with the National Biodiesel Board, ensuring New Yorkers would understand and welcome this environmentally positive change.”

No other city has a Bioheat requirement in place, but several states have passed requirements that will go into effect when contingent states pass similar laws.
 

From Biodiesel Bulletin, October 2012