Chief executive Guy Pulham says the FPS is eager to engage with the BEIS consultation and is urging all members to submit evidence to help shape the future of our industry On 19th March the Department for Business, Energy & lndustrial Strategy (BEIS) launched a consultation period ‘seeking evidence and views on action we can take during the 2020s to phase out high carbon fossil fuel heating in off gas grid buildings‘ Evidence is sought from across society and, in particular, from consumers and the heat market – those using or working with fossil fuels and those using or working with low carbon alternatives.www.gov.uk/government/consultations/a-future-framework-for-heat-in-buildings-call-for-evidence The closing date is 11.45pm on Monday 11th June. The Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS) has welcomed this dialogue with BEIS which follows a roundtable discussion on government plans to decarbonise heating from the 1.2m homes and 250,000 businesses across the UK currently using oil heating. The FPS and its members put forward their thoughts as to how they want to work with government, providing information and ideas on action the government can take to meet carbon reduction targets in off gas grid buildings including taking a stepped change approach to carbon reductions through a government supported nationwide scheme to replace older oil boilers with energy efficient condensing boilers, the development of a bio fuel and alternative research into hybrid systems. The FPS also highlighted the important role members play in supplying not only heating oil but also fuel for agriculture, construction, road transport, marine fuels and fuel for back-up generators for hospitals, schools, care homes and data centres. “The initial direction of the Clean Growth Strategy didn’t appear to be technology neutral, so it’s positive that BEIS is now consulting further and asking for ideas and information from the heating oil industry,” said Guy Pulham, FPS chief executive. “We recognise the government’s work to meet the 2050 carbon reduction target, but oil and – more long-term – a bio product, can be part of the phased solution. We can put forward an alternative, credible solution with government support to achieve genuine energy savings in the short term and CO2 emission reduction through research into bio fuels to smooth the changeover to a decarbonised heat supply.” “All our members have a vital role to play in helping the government reach the right decisions on the best way forward for off grid energy solutions. The government talks about our heating industry retaining its position as a world leader and we believe that with assistance with research and development incentives we can help to lead the change,” added Guy. The FPS has also urged BEIS to facilitate a dialogue with the full supply chain so that refiners, importers and associated industries, such as aviation, are also included.

“While OFTEC in principal supports government’s desire to reduce carbon emissions, this cannot be at the expense of energy security,” says Paul Rose, OFTEC chief executive The impact of the recent extreme cold weather on the country’s energy supply should raise important questions for politicians as they consider the pathways towards future decarbonised energy, says OFTEC. The concerns over maintaining electricity supplies and whether natural gas would run out during the big freeze were, in the main, unfounded. However, the situation could have been very different if the UK were heavily dependent on electricity for heat and transport as outlined in many decarbonisation proposals. A combination of prolonged extreme weather, low temperatures and low wind speeds would place an enormous strain on the grid’s ability to generate sufficient electricity from renewable sources. This, combined with the enormous spike in demand, could leave many consumers without heat, light or transport – just when it is needed most. “Fuel security should be high on the list of priorities when energy planners and politicians are thinking about how to decarbonise our energy needs,” said Paul Rose, OFTEC chief executive. “The recent cold spell put severe strain on natural gas supplies and both oil and coal were required to help produce power at the major power stations. “Many policy advisors advocate a shift to decarbonised electricity for our future energy and transport needs. However, relying on one fuel type may leave us vulnerable over the winter months, particularly during extreme weather conditions which are expected to become more commonplace in our increasingly unpredictable climate. “At OFTEC, we believe that no single solution can meet society’s future energy needs. Embracing a broad mix of energy sources would reduce risk and we advocate an approach which would see a combination of low carbon liquid fuels, gas, biomass and electricity, depending on which best suits the needs of the homeowner.”www.oftec.org

FPS EXPO 2018 will take place on 18th and 19th April – register online at www.fpsshow.co.uk Following a very successful second exhibition at Liverpool in 2017, FPS EXPO 2018 will once again take place at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool, on Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th April with all exhibitors under one roof and a floorspace of over 8100 sq. metres.  Now in its 38th year, FPS EXPO 2018 will have over 150 companies from both the UK and Europe, with first time exhibitors Bunded Fuel Tanks t/a Weld Smart, GreenChem, Fairfax 3D Design, Cardfox Merchant Services, Normec S.r.l. The Oil Lady, Octane Holding Group and Storage Partners Sp.z.o.o. Ashdowne Oil & Chemical, Close Brothers Asset Finance, REDS Group, Cavagna UK, Talent Retention Solutions (TRS) and Wirehouse Employment Services. “Entry to the exhibition is free and the event normally attracts over 1200 visitors from around the globe, including the USA, China and Europe but this year the FPS is expecting to exceed those numbers,” said Dawn Shakespeare, FPS marketing & events manager. New FPS CEO Guy Pulham will be on stand 126 at the entrance to the exhibition and will be available to talk to visitors about the benefits of becoming a member of the trade association. Visitor registration is available online at www.fpsshow.co.uk. For more show information, please contact Dawn Shakespeare ds@fpsonline.co.uk. 

When a tanker overturned recently on a County Tyrone highway, a bar of household soap was called upon to stop thousands of litres of diesel spilling out.