South Carolinians are becoming more familiar with Bioheat® fuel, which is renewable biodiesel fuel blended with ultra-low sulfur heating oil. This is a powerful mix of clean energy! Renewable Bioheat fuel helps contribute to lower greenhouse gas emissions because it burns more cleanly than the traditional heating oil we relied on in the past.
Biodiesel, also known as biofuel, is a gallon-for-gallon substitute for petroleum-based fuels, which have a higher carbon intensity. By 2030, it’s estimated that biodiesel will displace 529 million gallons of heating oil.
Biodiesel is generally produced by agricultural byproducts, including used cooking oil, animal fats, inedible corn oil, soybean oil and canola oil. This puts excess oil and fats that would otherwise be discarded to good use. Food is never sacrificed for fuel in the production of Bioheat fuel. Bioheat fuel is also sourced and produced in the United States, supporting local farmers, local industries and local economies.
Bioheat fuel is available for oilheat consumers now through local retail heating oil companies and it requires no modifications to your existing system. Bioheat fuel has three tiers, based on the percentage of biodiesel it has:
Five years ago, hundreds of heating oil industry leaders set forth their clean energy goals in the Providence Resolution, a landmark commitment to voluntarily reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The resolution called for a 15% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2023, a 40% reduction by 2030, and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
To figure out if the industry had hit its first goal, Dr. Tom Butcher of the National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA) conducted a study, and his findings were nothing short of phenomenal.
The latest data showed that the industry had far surpassed its first GHG goal. Instead of achieving just 15% by 2023, the industry achieved a nearly 26% reduction in GHG emissions!*
This was made possible through a combination of energy efficiency improvements and increased use of renewable Bioheat® Fuel. Other recent success stories include:
There is still work ahead, but South Carolina heating oil companies and the rest of the oilheat industry welcome the challenge. This is an industry made up of hard-working Americans who care about their neighbors, their communities, and the environment. We all look forward to the ultimate goal: net-zero carbon emissions by 2050—or sooner!
Beyond Bioheat fuel, there are other sustainable products that are transforming how we live our lives while slowing down the harmful effects of climate change: