Innovation Fuels, the New York-based renewable energy company that manufactures, markets, and distributes second-generation biodiesel, is enthusiastically supporting clean-burning Bioheat fuel (any blend of pure biodiesel with conventional high- or low-sulfur home heating oil) as the future source for home heating oil in America.
The company also lends its support to the oil refiners, distributors, terminal operators and other home heating oil workers in Massachusetts as the landmark B2 Massachusetts Mandate for Bioheat takes effect in less than six months. The mandate will require an average use of 2% premium, clean-burning biodiesel blended into all heating oil and diesel-based transportation. Massachusetts is the first US state to mandate the use of biodiesel blended fuel.
The mandate is groundbreaking in that Massachusetts — one of the top five NORA (National Oilheat Research Alliance) states by volume along with New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut — begins a process of change in the home heating industry for not only itself but also potentially the entire nation. The Massachusetts mandate calls for larger amounts of biodiesel blends in the coming years with the culmination being B5 or 5% biodiesel in three years. B5 is considered by both NORA and the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) to be the benchmark blend.
ASTM standard feedstocks used in Bioheat include waste feedstocks such as palm oil, vegetable oils, and animal fats, although others could be considered including non-edible crops being developed by Innovation Fuels such as Camelina and Pennycress. The Bioheat required by Massachusetts must however result in at least 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions relative to conventional fuel.
The largest concentration of NORA customers for Bioheat are in the Northeast, including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts — all states serviced by Innovation Fuels. The company operates a fully integrated biorefinery in New York harbor and will shortly be introducing a renewable fuels terminal in New Haven CT. This facility will feature barge, truck, vessel, and rail access to heated storage for 1.2 million gallons of biodiesel fuel.