Legislation Assembly Democrats Celeste Riley, John McKeon and Thomas Giblin sponsored to promote more use of bio-based heating oil was released Monday by an Assembly panel.
The Bio-based Heating Oil Act (A-3161) requires that all heating oil sold for residential, commercial or industrial heating uses within the state meet increasing compliance standards by July 1, 2014.
“New Jersey has been a leading in renewable energy, so let’s keep up the effort for the benefit of taxpayers, the environment and the nation,” said Riley (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland). “Biofuels can alleviate our dependence on foreign oil, are derived from renewable resources and will keep our environment cleaner. Let’s do what we can to promote its usage.”
“Biofuels help reduce the carbon emissions that are a leading cause of climate change,” said McKeon (D-Essex/Morris). “Fuel that burns cleaner and releases fewer harmful emissions is good for everyone. Statistics show that switching all heating-oil customers to 5-percent biodiesel could reduce oil consumption by more than 330 million gallons a year; so let’s put New Jersey at the forefront.”
“This has the potential to save consumers money, protect our environment and reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” said Giblin (D-Essex/Passaic). “It also can boost the state’s investment in clean energy, which means more good-paying jobs for our residents. This is a common sense step toward a stronger future.”
The bill would require that all heating oil sold for residential, commercial, or industrial heating uses within New Jersey meet the following compliance schedule unless such compliance has been suspended by the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection:
- from July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015 to have at least 3 percent biodiesel content;
- from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016 to have at least 4 percent biodiesel content;
- from July 1, 2016 and thereafter to have at least 5 percent biodiesel content or such other percentage established by international specifications as the maximum allowable percentage of biodiesel which may be contained in heating oil, whichever is higher.
The bill was released by the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee and now awaits consideration by the full Assembly.