New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation this week that requires downstate New York counties of Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester to follow New York City’s lead by blending at least five percent biodiesel (B5) Bioheat® fuel into all home heating oil sold by July 1, 2018. Assemblyman Steve Englebright and Senator Phil Boyle sponsored the legislation, which is supported by a broad range of industry and environmental advocates due to its environmental and public health benefits.

“New York has long been a leader in recognizing the environmental, public health and economic benefits of biodiesel, not only in transportation applications but in the heating oil market as well,” said National Biodiesel Board CEO Donnell Rehagen. “We commend Governor Cuomo for signing this important bill that will provide cleaner air for more New Yorkers by improving emissions from heating oil. Increasing the use of Bioheat® in the nation’s largest heating oil market also supports local jobs in the clean energy sector.”

New York City, the largest municipal consumer of heating oil in the country, instituted a citywide 2 percent biodiesel requirement in 2012 that increases to 5 percent on October 1, 2017. Now the entire New York City Metropolitan Area, representing approximately 70 percent of the state’s heating oil market, will have a 5 percent biodiesel blending requirement.