On Monday morning, Richard visited Barton Petroleum in Oakley, an independent, family-owned supplier of fuel & lubricants to industry, farming & domestic customers. Richard met with Managing Director, Richard Burton, and his sons Lawrence and Oliver. Barton operates 5 depots, employs over 100 people and supplies around 130 million litres to domestic and commercial customers each year.
Richard Fuller MP said:
Barton Petroleum is a successful and truly family business for over 50 years in the heart of my constituency.
Determined to play their part in the drive to net zero, I was talked through the benefits of HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) which is made from 100% renewable raw materials, produces 90% lower CO2 emissions than fossil fuels and can be used as a direct substitute for diesel and other oil derivatives.
My visit was particularly timely given that Parliament was debating the remaining stages of the Energy Bill on Tuesday and I recently wrote that I had supported George Eustice's amendment which states:
"Within six months of the passage of this Act, the Secretary of State must by regulation introduce a Renewable Liquid Heating Fuel Obligation, setting annual obligations on fuel suppliers to ensure the supply of recognised low-carbon renewable liquid fuels for domestic and commercial heating.”
HVO can be used as a substitute for kerosene that is generally used in off-grid boilers for home heating and so represents a perfect example of a 'low-carbon, renewable liquid fuel' as called for in the amendment. Existing oil boilers can be retrofitted to utilise HVO for just a few hundred pounds, far cheaper and more efficient than the thousands required to install heat pumps which at present is the planned default solution from 2026. Furthermore, the nature of many off-grid properties make them unsuitable for heat pumps due to inadequate levels of insulation.
Richard added:
Whilst we all want to see a move to decarbonisation of home heating, I am particularly drawn to this type of pragmatic approach that seeks to deliver the desired objective, but in a cost-viable and effective way for consumers. For more details on the Energy Bill amendment, please see my website article here.
