Home heating seminar available to view online
NORTH BROOKFIELD - Crowley Fuel Company, Inc., of North Brookfield has posted a video of its recent community home heating seminar on its Web site, www.crowleyfuel.com, for public viewing.

"Our community home heating seminar brought together a diverse panel of local and regional experts to discuss a number of current issues that are relevant to every homeowner, and particularly those who heat with oil," Crowley Fuel owner Bob LaFlamme said. "One of the goals of this seminar and video is to provide consumers with good information so they can make better decisions about their home heating arrangements. This video will be of special interest to local residents who want to know more about how price protection programs work before we enter the next heating season."

Viewers of the seminar, which was held April 28 at the Haston Free Public Library, can hear guest speakers Michael Ferrante and Robert Cerio, two of the leading proponents of the national bio-fuel movement, discuss recently passed legislation that mandates use of a 2 percent blend of cleaner burning biofuel by 2010 (the blend rises to 5 percent by 2013) and that will help transform oil heat to BioHeat, thus reducing its impact on the environment.

Ferrante and David Beaudin, of the state fire marshal's office, also explain the new oil tank legislation and its implications for Massachusetts homeowners. Panelist David Lodding, of Lincoln Laboratory, explains how to protect oil tanks from corrosion; energy consultant and oil trader Rich Larkin of Hedge Solutions in Manchester, N.H., discusses the current state of the oil market; and Keith Hnatow from Quincy Heating Technology talks about boiler replacement options. Stephen Quink, vice president and senior loan officer at North Brookfield Savings Bank, discusses low interest home heating loans.

Local cable access channels will also be airing the seminar. Check local listings for air times.