Too good to be true?  With all the benefits of Bio Heating Oil, you might think there is some “catch”.  But not really.

Bio Heating Oil does cost a little more than fossil oil, although this will change as fossil oil prices continue to rise and use of Bio Heating Oil grows.  And by diversifying our energy sources through the use of Bio Heating Oil, we reduce the risk of future price increases. 

When first using Bio Heating Oil in older heating systems, the same detergent properties that keep heating oil systems clean can sometimes stir up old gunk that can clog filters.  Older rubber gaskets and fittings can sometimes deteriorate quickly when using Bio Heating Oil.  A heating system inspection and good maintenance practices prior to using Bio Heating Oil can avoid these problems.

In the Northeast, Bio Heating Oil currently comes mostly as a by-product of the same soy beans grown for food, and most soy beans in the United States are grown using Genetically Modified Organisms. While this does not in anyway change the nature of the Bio Heating Oil, if you are concerned about GMO’s please click here for more information.  Meanwhile, we are actively pursuing local sources of Bio Heating Oil using recycled cooking grease collected from within the region.

The State Energy Office will verify that consumers in our program are receiving the Bio Heating Oil product, and the fuel is certified by the American Society for Testing and Materials.  We have every expectation that members participating in the program will use Bio Heating Oil without any problems but, of course can not promise otherwise.  In order to both document our members’ experience for the benefit of others, and to ensure that use of the Bio Heating Oil is in fact trouble free, if you wish to participate in our Bio Heating Oil program you must:

• Own the heating oil system that will use the Bio Heating Oil.
• Have your heating system inspected by your PP&L assigned dealer, and perform any recommended repairs or maintenance, before receiving your first delivery of Bio Heating Oil.
• Enroll in your dealer’s full service program
• Take automatic delivery of the Bio Heating Oil, use only the Bio Heating Oil provided for the entire season (or resign from the program) and maintain good credit with the dealer (or pay automatically with a credit card) at the dealers discretion.
• Agree to a post-season inspection of your system in order to assay any changes that might have resulted from the use of Bio Heating Oil.  This inspection will be paid for by the program, and be conducted by a third party unaffiliated with the dealer.

A word about Bio Heating Oil and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).

A substantial portion of the vegetable oil produced in United States is derived from Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).  Therefore, it is likely that the soybean oil initially used in PP&L’s Bio Heating Oil program will come from GMOs.  Given concerns and unanswered questions concerning GMOs, it is our preference not to utilize oils from GMOs.  GMOs are now creating or have the potential to create significant problems in terms of ecosystem integrity and resiliency, biodiversity, environmental protection, food security, abusive operations by corporations, and the sustainability of American farms.  However, because of the many benefits of Bio Heating Oil over the fossil fuels we use today, PP&L has decided to promote the use of Bio Heating Oil even though doing so at this time is likely to involve the use of oils produced by GMOs.  PP&L has decided that while not ideal, this is acceptable at the present for the following reasons:

• Bio Heating Oil from any source is cleaner burning and less toxic than fossil fuel.
• The long term health, environmental, and energy security benefits of developing a market for Bio Heating Oil are great, while the near term prospects of influencing growers’ decisions about the use GMOs through decisions about Bio Heating Oil are small.
• PP&L will work aggressively to develop sources of Bio Heating Oil that are environmentally sustainable, local, do not use GMOs, and/or use recycled (reclaimed) oils.

In keeping with our organizational missions, PP&L will continue stay abreast of developments in this area and to do whatever we can to help you, the consumer, differentiate and support energy options with the least impacts on our environment and health.

Statement effective October 1, 2004
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