Governors in 8 States have committed to exploring Clean Heat Standards to decarbonize the building sector. Massachusetts and Vermont are both in the rule-making process, with plans to implement CHS programs in 2026.

Although Vermont and Massachusetts are leading the cause, other states are following suit. The estimated cost to retailers is $.40 per gallon sold in Massachusetts and up to $1.50 per gallon sold in Vermont. At this time, we believe that the fees will be RETROACTIVE. Retailers cannot afford to ignore this. Conference sessions will deliver the most current information available.

The New Jersey Governor issued an executive order to explore a Clean Heat Standard, and legislation was introduced in February for both a Clean Heat Standard and a Low-Carbon Fuel Standard. New York is implementing an economy-wide Cap-and-Invest program in 2025.

These market-based decarbonization programs will impact every heating fuel dealer at every level of the supply chain in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic over the next few years.

Joe Uglietto is the President of Diversified Energy Specialists (DES), a renewable energy consulting and environmental markets trading company. At DES, Joe trades in thermal energy portfolio standards in the Northeast and is an aggregation in the Massachusetts Alternative Portfolio Standard, representing clients across renewable thermal technologies. Joe has been monitoring the efforts of States in the Northeast to implement Cap-and-Invest programs, building ordinances and Clean Heat Standards for the thermal sector. Joe looks forward to working with propane and heating oil retailers and wholesalers in Massachusetts and Vermont when a Clean Heat Standard is implemented in both states. Joe's recent work has focused on the flaws of thermal electrification policy and the design of Clean Heat Standards.

Low carbon fuels are becoming more abundant due to mandates, incentives and GHG reduction desires from end users. We will provide info on handling and blending those fuels.

Leo Verruso is the General Manager of Advanced Fuel Solutions (AFS) since 2011 and has been an active member of our industry for over 30 years. AFS manufactures fuel additives to enhance the performance of all liquid fuels. Leo is an active Board Member of the newly rebranded National Energy & Fuels Institute (NEFI), as well as on the Board of Hudson Valley Oil & Energy Council and Upstate New York Energy Association. In addition to his position at AFS, Leo is the co-founder of Vets2Techs, a 501(c)(3) organization to help connect United States Military Veterans with the workforce development needs of the energy industry.

• Value and Pricing: Impact of greater market volatility and tools to address; earn-outs and time periods; dealing with new and different sources of value (e.g., clean energy/environmental credits)
• Environmental: Dealing with legacy contamination (who handles, how funded, tools for managing seller and buyer risk)
• Environmental: Climate change-driven impacts on waterfront facilities (addressing new regulatory and litigation exposure, and potential impact on value and insurance)
• Employee relations: Non-complete/non-solicit and other restrictive covenants (responding to stronger legal pushbacks)

Brian Freeman focuses his practice on environmental compliance counseling, permitting, site remediation, and related litigation regarding federal and state regulatory programs. Brian has worked with a variety of clients, ranging from Fortune 100 conglomerates to individual entrepreneurs. He has particular experience with releases at petroleum bulk storage and dispensing sites, including emergency response, regulatory enforcement actions, and abutter lawsuits.

Kiernan Ignacio is an associate in Robinson+Cole’s New York City office. She is a member of the Business Transactions Practice Group with a focus on mergers and acquisitions as well as general corporate matters. She represents both buyers and sellers across a range of industries, with particular experience representing closely held private companies. Kiernan has experience assisting companies with all aspects of corporate transactions, including letters of intent, due diligence, negotiating and drafting purchase agreements, closings and post-closing matters. Kiernan’s practice also includes general corporate advice including entity formation and corporate governance. Kiernan is a member of the firm’s Corporate Transparency Act Compliance Committee and the firm’s Pro Bono Committee.

One person might think AI is amazing. The next person might think AI is scary. They’d both be right. In this session, Ashley Campbell of Warm Thoughts Communications will introduce attendees to the world of AI and how it is already transforming the way fuel companies need to be doing business. Marketing and communications efforts will never be the same, and attendees will gain an understanding of just how much is changing and what will be required to be successful in the future. The “in-house” or “local agency” approach to digital marketing is a bit like a “Yellow Pages” approach to advertising – it’s outdated. That’s because success requires sifting through hundreds of thousands of data points to optimize online advertising – an impossible task without AI. Ashley will pull back the curtain on how fuel companies can leverage the necessary data to allocate budgets effectively, develop ad strategies based on the data and choose the right platforms. And she’ll share proprietary data from Google that no one in our industry has seen before to bring it all together.

Ashley Campbell is the Northeast & Mid-Atlantic Sales Manager at Warm Thoughts Communications. Having been in digital marketing her entire career, Ashley is an expert in the consumer buying cycle; and is committed to cultivating strong partnerships in the fuel marketers and the home services industry. She started in the agency world, and later moved to media and advertising, working for large tech-based companies such as Yahoo and CarGurus. Ashley is passionate about connecting the dots to help companies strengthen their brand, acquire new customers, and sell more equipment. In her spare time, she enjoys biking and playing catch with Charlotte, her Aruban rescue dog.

Exploring how data and integrated capabilities of primary controls can address today's management challenges; Labor shortages, optimizing technician efficiency and enhancing troubleshooting accuracy to maximize customer retention through minimizing equipment downtime.

By attending the audience will learn: How business performance and bottom line can be improved through data and technology available from today's controls. They will understand the importance of getting information out of the basement and into the hands of the technicians and the service managers.

Alan Chmiel is the Director of Engineering at R.W. Beckett. He is currently completing his doctorate researching behavioral economics and renewable liquid fuels. He had prior senior leadership roles in the aerospace and medical device sectors, including leading a startup medical product company to a successful exit. His accomplishments include being recognized by the US Senate for "Excellence in Aging Research." He has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration.

In today's dynamic landscape of the propane, oil, and energy sector, robust succession planning is paramount for sustained growth, particularly for companies eyeing expansion through acquisitions. While often associated with leadership transitions or retirement, succession planning transcends mere departure, serving as the linchpin for unlocking sustainable growth, seamlessly integrating acquisitions, optimizing ROI, and fostering organizational prosperity.

Traditionally, succession planning in the fuel industry focused on transferring leadership and ownership during exits. However, a more holistic perspective recognizes succession planning as a strategic transition vehicle, envisioning long-term sustainability and success. This approach involves scaling operations, embracing technology, and attracting top talent to support growth and diversification.

In this workshop attendees will learn the keys to growth-oriented succession planning which will provide insights for creating financial resilience, sustainable growth strategies, effective approaches to integrating new acquisitions or products & services and attracting top talent to support growth and diversification.

Kendall Rawls is the Director of Development for The Rawls Group. Since officially joining the firm in 2004, she has navigated issues that many business owners face, including working effectively with family, building rapport with key management and outside strategic partners, influencing teamwork, and implementing strategic initiatives to drive growth and increase organizational performance. Kendall knows and understands the challenges that impact entrepreneurial-owned businesses’ success and offers a unique perspective derived from her background and experience as a second-generation, family-member-employee of The Rawls Group.

Kendall is a frequent contributor to national industry publications in automotive retail, multi-unit franchise, marine, and energy. In her spare time, Kendall enjoys spending time with her dog, practicing yoga, playing beach volleyball, and volunteering for her local neighborhood association.

Biofine Developments NE of Portland, ME, is involved in the production of ethyl levulinate (EL)—the liquid fuel that can be combined with heating oil or biodiesel to significantly lower the pour point of the fuel while maintaining net-zero carbon properties. Learn what this additive / fuel is, its importance as we increase blends of biodiesel, and the latest updates on the product.

Michael Devine was appointed President of the National Oilheat Research Alliance effective March 1, 2022. Devine came to NORA after having served as Vice President of Sales & Business Development for World Energy. As part of the Senior Management Team, he managed day to day activities for sales and volumes at terminals, prepared monthly and annual budgets, and developed key national accounts including FedEx, UPS, Chevron, Ryder, The Union Pacific Railroad and others. Devine has deep roots in the oilheat industry. He began his career in his family’s business, Devine Brothers of Norwalk, CT. He started as a truck driver and service technician, growing into roles as sales manager, vice president and president of the 50+ employee, third-generation business. He is a member of the NORA board and has been a positive and active voice in supporting the oilheat and liquid heating fuels industry for decades.

Dr. Thomas A. Butcher is Technical Director of the National Oilheat Research Alliance where he leads a group providing the technical suppot needed to develop a more efficient, renewable future for this industry. Tom has a long history of research work on energy systems, air pollutant emissions, and the use of biofuels in boilers and furnaces.

Mike Cassata is the Chief Development Officer of Biofine Technology, LLC and the co-founder of the Maine bio-refinery Biofine Developments Northeast. Stephen Fitzpatrick, PhD: Founder, President, CEO, of Biofine. Dr. Fitzpatrick is inventor of the Biofine process and chief executive of the company. He has been developing the Biofine technology and refining its commercial applications for over twenty years. Dr. Fitzpatrick holds degrees in chemical and biochemical engineering from the University of Manchester, UK and is recipient of the Dista Prize and the 1999 Presidential Green Chemistry Award.

Electricity is a hot topic for our industry because of its intertwined relationship to electrification mandates, carbon reduction and the role of renewable energies. Bolster your knowledge of "the grid" with a presentation and panel discussion from three diverse and distinguished presenters. J. David Hampton, oil and gas attorney and professor of law, will talk about the basics of electric generation and the current percentage of renewable energy being used to power the grid. Tom Butcher, technical director of NORA, will talk about the policy vision for decarbonizing the building sector. The need for dramatic investments in building energy efficiency and interactive demand management to control the power requirements will be discussed as well as opportunities for hybrid systems, on-site generation, and battery backup for reliability. Gregg Noble, vice president at KORE Power, will share his thoughts regarding the finances involved in the grid and an opportunity that developed under the Inflation Reduction Act.

Understanding that America's grid is decades and $20 trillion away from delivering a renewable, sustainable and resilient supply. Renewable liquid heating fuels delivered by our industry's family businesses is the best, quickest and most cost effective GHG reductions for at least the next two decades.

J. David Hampton is an esteemed oil and gas attorney, currently based in Norman, Oklahoma. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Oklahoma, earned in 1977, followed by a Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1980. With a rich background in the industry, Hampton's career includes his tenure as a landman at Texas Oil & Gas Corp. In 1981, Hampton founded Hampton and Milligan PLLC Law Firm, which specializes in upstream and midstream oil and gas law, mineral title examination, and real estate transactions. Additionally, Hampton contributes to academia as a Professor in Practice at the University of Oklahoma College of Law, teaching Real Estate Transactions, Mineral Title Examination, Real Property Law, Oil and Gas Law, Introduction to Property Law, and Natural Resources Renewables. He also teaches teaches Renewable Energy Policy and Regulations at the University's Price College of Business. Hampton's contributions have been recognized through various awards and acknowledgments, including the prestigious Oklahoma City Association of Professional Landmen William Majors Distinguished Service Award in 2014 and the Adjunct Professor of the Year accolade from the University of Oklahoma College of Law student body in 2018-2019. He was also honored as the Owen Anderson Distinguished One Alumni in 2022. Hampton's commitment to excellence and his multifaceted contributions continue to make a significant impact on both the legal and academic realms.

Gregg Noble is a Subject Matter Expert (SME) on fixed-site and mobile energy storage applications & technologies for the US electric utility sector and United States government where he serves on the Department of Defense / EPRI ESTCP project to develop microgrid power systems for US National Guard facilities across the nation.

As the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships for KORE Power, Inc. Gregg leads the firm's partnership and development efforts with Kore's President and oversees the KORE Power Solution's division's internal sales force and an external network of sales professionals, independent agents, and manufacturer representatives worldwide. KORE is currently building a $1.5B gigafactory in Buckeye, AZ to bring back the American battery manufacturing industry to US shores which will create approximately 3000 American jobs and produce 18GWh of energy storage product annually. KORE's efforts have recently been awarded an $850M loan under the Inflation Reduction Act.

Gregg is one of the Co-Founders and Inventors and serves on the Board of Directors of Nomad Transportable Power Systems ("NOMAD"), the world's first commercially available utility-scale mobile energy storage platform. Mr. Noble has numerous patents in process for the creation of mobile ESS technology.

Dr. Thomas A. Butcher is Technical Director of the National Oilheat Research Alliance where he leads a group providing the technical suppot needed to develop a more efficient, renewable future for this industry. Tom has a long history of research work on energy systems, air pollutant emissions, and the use of biofuels in boilers and furnaces.

NORA President Michael Devine will provide an update on the activities and initiatives that are currently underway at NORA, some of these activities will include:

• Continue to expand renewable fuels testing, including varying blends of biodiesel and renewable diesel blends to determine any technical issues.
• A report on the other technical projects that NORA is currently engaged in.
• An update on our activities with the IECC and the 2027 Code process.
• The environmental benefits associated with distributing Low Carbon Fuels.
• Developing a framework to become a BPI accredited training facility.

Michael Devine was appointed President of the National Oilheat Research Alliance effective March 1, 2022. Devine came to NORA after having served as Vice President of Sales & Business Development for World Energy. As part of the Senior Management Team, he managed day to day activities for sales and volumes at terminals, prepared monthly and annual budgets, and developed key national accounts including FedEx, UPS, Chevron, Ryder, The Union Pacific Railroad and others. Devine has deep roots in the oilheat industry. He began his career in his family’s business, Devine Brothers of Norwalk, CT. He started as a truck driver and service technician, growing into roles as sales manager, vice president and president of the 50+ employee, third-generation business. He is a member of the NORA board and has been a positive and active voice in supporting the oilheat and liquid heating fuels industry for decades.

Implement simple detection and remediation techniques to optimize the quality of stored fuel and minimize the impact fuel system damage. Learning objective is to source of microorganisms, conditions needed for microorganisms to grow and move through the fuel system, detections systems, and remediation strategies.

As Vice President & Technical Director for FQS, LLC., Mr. English oversees all aspects directly related to the research, development, and deployment of chemicals for use in the various stages of production of crude oil and product quality through the various stages of distribution from the oil field to end user. Additional activities include evaluating regulatory and industry issues, compliance with federal and state regulations, formulating policy and implementing programs to address regulatory and industry issues, perform technical reviews and program audits. Mr. English is also nationally recognized for his knowledge of fuels as it pertains to cleanliness, fuel corrosivity, detection and remediation of microbial contamination, materials compatibility, and alternative fuels. Mr. English has been a guest speaker for various agencies and organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Petroleum Equipment Industry (PEI), SAE Speakers Bureau, and a featured guest speaker at various industry conferences. Mr. English has authored and co-authored many articles which have been published in various trade magazines.

Mr. English is involved with various industry organizations. Mr. English is Chair for ASTM D02, Subcommittee 14 on the Cleanliness and Stability of Fuels, sits as Co-Chair of the ASTM Fuel Corrosivity Working Group and has organized and presented several sessions regarding Fuel Corrosivity with emphasis on the current accelerated corrosion of ULSD systems. Mr. English is often a presenter at IASH discussing topics in the areas of microbial contamination and remediation as it applies to oil fields and retail markets. Mr. English is also a member of the CRC group responsible for Diesel Fuel Cleanliness.

Before joining Fuel Quality Services, Inc., Mr. English worked in the nuclear power industry. The focus of his work was the implementation of various corrosion control programs for primary radioactive systems, secondary non-radioactive systems, auxiliary component systems, emergency systems, and fuel storage systems. Mr. English has a Bachelors of Science Degree in Chemistry from the University of Florida, with an additional two years post baccalaureate work from the University of Miami.

Is artificial intelligence here to destroy your business (and all life as we know it) or is it a kindly albeit all-knowing assistant? As with most things, the truth is somewhere in the middle. Join PriMedia as we navigate a brave new world of AI, digital marketing, machine learning, and neural networks to reach your marketing goals.

David Heiser is the Regional Sales and Marketing Coordinator for PriMedia, Inc. He has represented PriMedia for over 23 years: Working with marketers of all sizes across the home comfort industry as well as local, state and national associations. Consulting on all facets of their marketing programs, as well as providing sales, customer service and other industry training. In addition to his other responsibilities, David is also head of advertising services for Oil & Energy Magazine.