Did you know that Long Island is taking center stage in a clean energy revolution? Our area is going to become one of America’s leaders in providing cleaner air, thanks to a new law that’s going to increase the use of Bioheat® in Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester counties. The plan, which had sponsors from both parties, was signed by the governor in September 2017. It requires the three counties to sell heating oil which contains at least 5 percent biodiesel, according to Biodiesel Magazine. Biodiesel, when combined with heating oil, creates Bioheat®

Tragar Home Services Has Been a Leader in Bioheat

At Tragar Home Services, we’ve long been an advocate for Bioheat®. We’ve been delivering Bioheat to our oil heat customers for a while now. We know that it reduces greenhouse gas emissions by at least 57 percent and up to 86 percent compared to petroleum, according to the EPA. We know it makes a difference in your home and to our planet, so we want to tell you what we know about Bioheat®.

Bioheat 101: What You Need to Know

Biodiesel is made from a mix of feedstock including recycled cooking oil, animal fats and soybean oil, according to the National Biodiesel Board. About 1 billion gallons are produced annually throughout the country. When combined with fuel sources such as heating oil, about 2.8 billion gallons were produced in 2016. The biodiesel industry has set a goal of producing about 10 percent of our diesel transportation by 2022.

The EPA has designated biodiesel as an advanced biofuel, making it the first alternative fuel to receive that designation. Because of the recently signed Bioheat bill, the entire New York metropolitan area will now include biodiesel in their heating oil. New York City instituted a 2 percent citywide requirement in 2012 that are now going to increase a 5 percent requirement as of October 1. With Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester coming on board as well, that will account for about 70 percent of the state’s heating oil market.

Benefits of Biofuel

In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in home heating oil, biofuels also reduce major tailpipe pollutants from diesel vehicles, particularly from older vehicles like trucks and buses. This is critical because the EPA has long cited the diesel from these vehicles as being one of the nation’s most dangerous pollutants.

Biofuels are also job creators. According to a press release by the National Biodiesel Board, the industry currently supports 64,000 jobs across the U.S.
“It’s simple. Biodiesel can continue to grow American jobs and prosperity in communities throughout the nation,” said Donnell Rehagen, National Biodiesel Board CEO. “Our members are making real investments and significant impacts across America, and they want to do more.”  In addition to the New York state legislation, the biofuel industry is pushing Washington DC lawmakers to pursue cash incentives and create more jobs.

Tragar Home Services Can Provide You With Clean Bioheat

If you’re a Tragar Home Services oil customer, you’re already part of the Bioheat revolution. All of our customers get Bioheat automatically. If you’d like to learn more about Bioheat or learn more about our oil heat service, contact us today.