In The Loop with NORA

In this episode of In the Loop with NORA , NORA President Michael Devine and Clean Fuels Alliance America CEO Donnell Rehagen discuss how the biodiesel and renewable diesel sectors are overcoming challenges like policy headwinds and logistical hurdles as we head into the 2026 heating season. This conversation between industry partners explores how policies like the revamped RFS and cutting-edge re...

In this episode, association leaders from the Midwest reveal how a new, regional mobile classroom program transformed their approach to oil heat service, overcoming technician shortages, and fueling growth for their state’s heating oil efforts. Discover how these associations collaborated across state lines to deliver hands-on oil heat training directly to local technicians, resulting in over 25 s...

In this episode, outgoing NORA Chair Kate Duffey and NORA President Michael Devine look back on her time leading the National Oil Heat Research Alliance. Kate reflects on her surprising experiences, the value of hands-on support and technical programs for marketers, and why strong industry communication matters now more than ever. The conversation explores NORA's role in driving innovation, b...

In this episode of In the Loop with NORA, we dive into the findings of a study on indoor air quality conducted by NORA with Dr. Tom Butcher and Neehad Islam from the NORA Research Laboratory. Discover how everyday activities – like cooking and outdoor grilling – impact air quality more than combustion-powered home heating appliances. This insightful discussion challenges common perceptions and off...

In the Loop chats with three state association executives outside of the northeast to discuss how they are promoting the liquid heating fuels in their regions. Mark Griffin with MPA, Gary Harris with NCPCM, and Alex Boehnke with OECA share insights on their educational campaigns, rebate programs, and partnership with NORA to reach consumers and industry stakeholders.  They explore the unique chall...

In this episode of In the Loop, Michael Devine and Tom Butcher with NORA and Jason Lawrence from Chevron reveal a cutting-edge initiative, testing 100% renewable liquid heating fuels across homes in the Northeast. This field test explores how biodiesel and renewable diesel blends could revolutionize home heating while dramatically reducing carbon footprints and improve the homeowner experience. Jo...

In this episode, the NORA team outlines their key initiatives and priorities for 2025 and beyond. The discussion covers a range of topics, including NORA's research into 100% renewable heating oil blends, efforts to improve AFUE ratings and equipment efficiency, new educational and training programs for technicians, and how NORA is using the digital space to improve messaging and outreach to...

In this episode, NORA President Michael Devine sits down with Clean Fuels Alliance America Technical Director Scott Fenwick and this year’s CFA Researchers of the Year Ted Olszewski of R.W. Beckett and Dr. Tom Butcher of NORA explore the technical innovations and collaborative efforts driving the transition to sustainable liquid heating fuels. Hear from these industry experts on advancing ASTM spe...

In this episode of In the Loop with NORA , we dive deep into the future of liquid fuel fired heating systems in Europe. Join Michael Devine, President of Nora, as he speaks with Federica Miano, Secretary General of Eurofuels, and Dr. Ernst-Moritz Bellingen, Head of Heating at en2X Energy, about Europe’s ambitious decarbonization targets and the role of renewable fuels in domestic heating.  Gain a...

In this episode, In the Loop chats with three soybean farmers on how the advancement of biofuels have impacted the agricultural community. With an increased demand for low carbon liquid fuels for heating and transportation, soybean farmers are playing a vital role in creating a low carbon future for our country.  Greg Anderson, Dave Walton, and Ed Lammers – all lifelong farmers – share their persp...

In this episode, In the Loop chats with Judy Garber, founder and Executive Director of Women in Energy. With an industry career spanning over 30 years, Garber shares motivated her to create this organization and how she's continued to advance the role of Women in Energy. Women in Energy is a nonprofit, national association founded in 2018, whose mission is to connect and empower women in the...

In the Loop chats with Eddie Curran, department chair of HVAC and facilities management at Manchester Community College located in Manchester, New Hampshire.  With over a decade of teaching experience, Curran highlights how the needs of our industry is speeding up the transition to the workforce. He also shares his perspectives on how education consumed today is impacting the classroom and how his...

In this episode, hear from three leading manufacturers in the heating oil industry on how their respective companies are transforming the landscape with innovative products designed to enhance equipment efficiency and lifespan, all while contributing to the collective mission of carbon reduction. Kevin Beckett, President and CEO of RW Beckett Corporation, shares how his company has helped in trans...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Tom Butcher, the leading force behind the NORA Research Lab, and research associate Dr. Jenny Frank.  Together, they shed light on the groundbreaking research conducted by the NORA team, what is driving forward the development of low-carbon liquid fuels, and why energy research is so critical for the future.  Get insights into what makes them excited for the f...

In this episode, In the Loop is joined by Ryan Kerr & Neehad Islam, research engineers at the NORA Liquid Heating Fuels Research Lab in Plainview, NY.  Kerr shares how his research is helping the industry now and how it can assist the liquid fuel industry for the future. Ryan is able to provide analysis of fuel samples collected in the field to help determine what the root cause of service iss...

In this episode, we chat with 5 individuals whose technical expertise in the low carbon liquid heating systems is helping elevate the next wave of energy service professionals. Our first guest is Eugene Silberstein, Director of Technical Education and Standards with the ESCO Institute. Eugene shares his overall take on the advancements of the industry, from equipment to service personnel, and how...

In this episode, we speak with two industry-leading retailers who have been providing high-blend, low carbon liquid heating fuels to their customer base for over a decade.  Up first, former NORA Chair and owner of Cubby Oil & Energy, Charlie Uglietto provides his expertise on offering B-50 Bioheat SuperPlusTM to his customers. Cubby has been offering renewable fuel blends since 2008 and Ugliet...

In today’s episode, four state association leaders share their thoughts on the how their association, member companies and states are working together to ensure renewable liquid fuels stay prevalent with policy makers and show how higher blend home heating oil can help improve the consumer experience while helping the environment.  First, we talk with Chris Herb, President of the Connecticut Energ...

In this episode of In the Loop , Paul Nazzaro and Scott Fenwick explain why retailers should make the transition to low carbon fuels now as competition will heat up over time for renewable fuels.  Up first,  Paul Nazzaro speaks about the industry's trantion to low carbon heating fuels and why Bioheat® is the logical choice right now.  Scott Fenwick, Technical Director for Clean Fuels Alliance...

In this episode of In the Loop , we hear from three industry leaders at the 2023 Eastern Energy Expo about  the transition to low carbon liquid heating fuels.  Up first,  we chat with Rick Bologna, VP of Westmore Fuel, to understand why dealers need to add biofuels to their product lineup now, as fuel and equipment advancements are making the transition to higher blend fuels more attainable.  Next...

In this episode, we speak to Michael Devine, President of NORA. Devine shares his thoughts and perspective on NORA, recent accomplishments, and key initiatives that have taken place since assuming leadership of the organization in March 2022. Devine credits the entire NORA team for these advancements, including creating new and innovative ways to educate the industry and inform technicians, and ho...

In this episode, we speak to three of NORA's leading experts who discuss NORA training certification program and what they do to provide technical education with NORA. Bob O'Brien, NORA Director of Education, provides in-depth knowledge on the NORA Technical Education Certification Program and why this aspect of NORA is key to the growth of the liquid fuel service sector.  John Levey, NO...

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Tom Butcher, Director of Research of the NORA Liquid Fuels Laboratory in Plainview, NY, for an update on his NORA demonstration home and how this "NET-Zero" carbon home shows negative carbon emissions. Background The use of biodiesel has been identified as an effective and reliable fuel to replace fossil-derived heating fuels. Due to research by the Nati...