Connecticut and Rhode Island governors sign laws boosting bioheat use

In Connecticut and Rhode Island, governors from both states signed graduated approaches to tackling carbon emissions into law this week through mandates requiring increased use of biomass-based heating oil, also known as Bioheat fuel, over the next decade. A similar bill in New York awaits the governor’s signature, highlighting the growing momentum Bioheat fuel is experiencing in the region.

Each of the mandates differ slightly. Yet, each result in elevated blend levels of Bioheat fuel, including two of the mandates reaching B50 (a blend of 50 percent biodiesel, 50 percent petroleum diesel):

Connecticut: Signed into law on July 12 by Governor Ned Lamont, the mandate requires B5 by 2022, B10 by 2025, B15 by 2030, B20 by 2034 and B50 by 2035.

Rhode Island: Signed into law on July 13 by Governor Daniel McKee, the mandate expands Rhode Island’s B5 mandate to B10 by 2023, B20 by 2025 and B50 by 2030.

NBB Director of State Governmental Affairs, Floyd Vergara says the team effort among the oil heat industry, NBB member companies and the NBB team is really what helps take legislation like these across the finish line.