Legislative Action & Government Affairs

MEMA represents the industry before Beacon Hill lawmakers and all state agencies and departments responsible for numerous laws, regulations, policies, and programs that have a direct impact on heating oil, renewable biofuels, diesel fuel, propane and heating and cooling equipment.

MEMA also assists in representing the industry in Washington, DC via the National Energy & Fuels Institute (NEFI) and the Clean Fuels Alliance of America.

MEMA has partnered with Project Carbon Freedom to create the Action Center - an on-line portal that allows industry companies and employees to communicate directly with Massachusetts lawmakers and other government officials to advocate for-and-against proposed legislation and regulations impacting the home and commercial heating oil and biofuel industry. MEMA provides regular alerts to the industry as to when and how to use the Action Center.

Massachusetts has one of the most aggressive laws in the country mandating reductions in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in the home and commercial building sectors, and the transportation sector. The law, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2008, set benchmarks for GHG reductions. In March of 2021, more aggressive benchmarks were set with the passage of An Act Creating a Next Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy.

To fully understand the evolution of climate change laws and related regulations and policies, read an updated summary prepared by MEMA: Climate Change Laws & Policies in Massachusetts (2007-Present).

2023 is shaping up to be a very active year for MEMA on Beacon Hill. Lawmakers have filed the following legislative proposals related to climate change, heating oil, liquid biofuel and propane.

H383: An Act allowing electronic delivery receipts for certain bulk sale customers.

H872: An Act establishing a climate change superfund and promoting polluter responsibility.

H1129: An Act relative to the remediation of home heating oil releases.

H2038: An Act to prohibit the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure for new construction in the town of Concord.

H2157: An Act prohibiting the burning of construction and demolition waste as fuel.

H3149: An Act establishing fossil-free fuels pilot programs.

H3183: An Act relative to the electrification of new and substantially remodeled or rehabilitated buildings.

H3188: An Act relative to hydro.

H3192: An Act relative to building energy and decarbonization.

H3203: An Act relative to the future of clean heat in the Commonwealth.

HB3231: An Act investing in a prosperous, clean Commonwealth by 2030.

H3232: An Act establishing a zero carbon renovation fund.

H3694: An Act relative to the clean heat standard.

S481: An Act establishing a climate change superfund and promoting polluter responsibility.

S648: An Act relative to the remediation of home heating oil releases.

S2082: An Act to establish a clean heating initiative in the commonwealth and reorganize its energy efficiency programs.

S2096: An Act relative to Massachusetts' carbon dioxide removal leadership.

S2105: An Act relative to the future of clean heat in the Commonwealth.

S2121: An Act investing in a prosperous clean commonwealth by 2030.

S2144: An Act relative to building energy and decarbonization.

S2365: An Act establishing a zero-carbon renovation fund.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has announced intentions to pursue a regulation – the Clean Heat Standard – that will significantly increase the price for heating oil, propane, and natural gas for your constituents.

This proposed regulation will send the prices of these fuels to record-high levels in an attempt by DEP to favor and incentivize the conversion to expensive electric heat pumps. The regulation is also designed to put retail heating oil and propane companies out-of-business. Learn more about a Clean Heat Standard here.

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) oversees the APS program that provides incentives to retail marketers who provide biofuel blends of B10 (10%) or higher to customers. The program has enabled the heating oil industry in Massachusetts to significantly reduce their customers’ petroleum use and lessen carbon emissions.

MEMA holds a state government-appointed seat on the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (EEAC). The EEAC is charged with developing 3-year energy efficiency plans for the state's gas and electric utilities. The plans include equipment rebates, weatherization, and other energy efficiency measures under the Mass Save program. The most recent plan - 2022-2024 - was approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) in January 2022. MEMA intervened in the DPU's review process and was able to restore Mass Save rebates for heating oil equipment upgrades. For more information about the DPU ruling, MEMA's work to fight for the industry and heating oil customers in order to preserve Mass Save rebates, and media coverage on the 3-year plan visit our Industry & Energy News page.

MEMA is actively involved in the state's LIHEAP fuel assistance program and serves on the state's LIHEAP Advisory Committee. After working with state officials for months, MEMA was able to raise Margin-Over-Rack (MOR) payments to retailers who support the program from 50 cents per gallon to 75 cents per gallon beginning on November 1, 2022.