This Week in Heating Oil March 19: Low Sulfur Heating Oil

Posted by Josh Garrett on March 19, 2010 at 4:09 pm

Sulfur, in its natural state, makes a pretty gemstone. In heating oil, however, it is the source of unwanted emissions. (image: geocities.jp)

On Wednesday, the presidents of the American Lung Association in New York and the Oil Heating Association of New York wrote an opinion piece in the Buffalo News urging New York State senators to pass an important heating oil bill.  The bill they support, S1145c/A10108 would require all heating oil sold in the state to contain just 15 parts per million (ppm) of sulfur in the next few years.  Most heating oil sold in the Notheast currently contains between 2,000 and 3,000 ppm of sulfur.  The major reduction in sulfur content, according to the bill’s supporters, would cut down on greenhouse gas and particulate emissions from heating oil furnaces and boilers, bringing positive health and environmental effects.  New York is just one of several Northeastern states, including Pennsylvania, Maine and New Jersey currently considering low-sulfur mandates for heating oil.

The authors of the opinion piece also touted the cost savings low-sulfur heating oil would deliver to heating oil users.  Cleaner heating oil means less accumulation of impurities in heating systems, which means less system maintenance.  And because low-sulfur heating oil is a more efficient fuel, users will get more heat per gallon and need to purchase less oil.

With clear health, economic, and environmental benefits, it’s easy to see why the unexpected pair of executives are united in their support of low-sulfur heating oil requirements.  And it’s easy to see why most heating oil users would agree with them.

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