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Forget 'What are your strengths and weaknesses?' If you want to get the real dope on prospective employees, ask job candidates these seven questions.

Next week's international climate change conference at Copenhagen is beset with problems of both political will and the substance of what's being advocated, say critics.

Even smart people make financial moves that are downright illogical. Emotions and superstitions have a sneaky way of keeping you from rational financial decisions. But dumb choices can have serious, real-world consequences. Here are some of the biggest blunders we all make, plus tips from the experts on how to keep cool.

New England Fuel Institute
Serving the Oilheat, Propane, Diesel Fuel and Biofuel Industries

• ACTION ALERT: HOUSE TO DEBATE WALL STREET REFORM NEXT WEEK
  Yesterday, the New England Fuel Institute sent an Action Alert to members asking that they contact Congress in advance of next week's floor debate on Financial Services Reform in the House of Representatives.
  
  As part of the so-called "Wall Street Reform" package, Congress will be considering a measure that would re-regulate the $600 trillion over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives market, which includes OTC energy trades, swaps and derivatives. OTC markets were stripped of federal oversight by the same law that created the "Enron Loophole," the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000.
• December O&E: Beyond Traditional Water Heaters
  The December issue of Oil & Energy Magazine is now available online. The issue looks at some of the latest products on the market available to home energy retailers that integrate renewable fuels and offer greater efficiencies than ever before. O&E also talks with the technical manager at Roth Industries, who gives advice about how retailers can offer solar heating systems to their product base. There is also an update on the latest organizations to sign on to the industry's revolutionary ultra-low sulfur diesel biofuel resolution.
• SENATE COMMITTEE CLEARS CAP AND TRADE BILL
  The U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works (EPW), chaired by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), passed S.1733, the 960-page Senate cap-and-trade bill, by a vote of 11-to-1 and without any Republicans present. Committee Republicans criticized Boxer for moving too quickly on this legislation and preferred to have additional studies and cost estimates available before proceeding to a final committee vote on the bill.
• November O&E: Energy Assistance Requests Likely to Grow in 2009-10
  The November issue of Oil & Energy Magazine is now available online. O&E provides a look at the latest Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) information provided by directors from various states. There is also information about other local energy assistance programs that heating oil and propane dealers can work with during the upcoming season. LIHEAP directors' association executive director Mark Wolfe participates in a Q&A about what impact the economy has had on the program and his expectations for increased requests this season.
• SENATE COMMITTEE HEARINGS CONTINUE ON CAP-AND-TRADE
  Last week the U.S. Senate held a round of hearings on the Boxer- Kerry Cap-and Trade legislation, S.1733. NEFI has reported to members on the details of the bill and the industry's concerns. The Senate Environment & Public Works Committee held a three-day hearing on the bill. Senators in support or opposition to the bill and key administration officials were heard from on Tuesday, and academics, regulated industries and consumer groups were heard from in the following two days.
• COMMODITY TRADING REFORM CLEARS ANOTHER BIG HURDLE
  The U.S. House Agriculture Committee approved by voice vote a bill to restore transparency and oversight to off-exchange commodity trading markets. Their bill differs somewhat from legislation passed by the Financial Services Committee last week. The bill was strengthened after NEFI, PMAA and select allies from the Commodity Markets Oversight Coalition sent a letter to Agriculture Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) calling for improvements that would increase transparency, restore market stability and prevent excessive speculation and potential manipulation.
• HOUSE FINANCIAL SERVICES CLEARS OTC TRADING REFORM
  Last week, the House Financial Services Committee, lead by its Chairman, Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), marked-up legislation aimed at greater transparency and regulation and reduced financial risk in the $590 trillion-dollar over-the-counter (OTC) markets, which includes OTC energy swaps and derivatives. Many experts agree that size and lack of transparency and oversight in the largely unregulated and unmonitored derivatives markets was a major cause of last year's financial collapse.
• Your Support is Making a Difference -- New NORA Co-sponsors Announced
  NEFI would like to thank its members and heating oil state associations for their hard work in support of bipartisan legislation (S.1672 in the Senate, H.R.3589 in the House) that would extend the National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA), which expires in February of 2010, a full year. The extension is necessary to give the industry time to work with Congress on a longer-term reauthorization measure that would embrace efforts to develop a more efficient ("leaner"), renewable ("greener"), ultra-low sulfur ("cleaner") home heating fuel. Your letters, phone calls and visits to your members of Congrss are making a difference!
• SENATE REVEALS DRAFT CAP-AND-TRADE BILL
  Last week, NEFI alerted members that Senators Boxer (D-CA) and Kerry (D-MA) revealed a "discussion draft" of Senate climate change legislation, the "Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act." The legislation is more ambitious than the House bill, especially in its short term goals for greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The bill aims for a 20 percent, rather than 17 percent, emissions reduction by 2020 and the same goal as the House of an 83 percent reduction by 2050. But its solution is the same - it would establish a national "cap-and-trade" program as a means to this end. The NEFI alert gives a bill background, summary and outlook for passage.
• FUEL DEALERS RALLY IN SUPPORT OF NORA
  Oilheat trade groups nationwide have issued calls to action to their member dealers and friends of the industry in support of the National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA). The NEFI Action Alert in support of NORA has alone generated over 300 letters to members of Congress in just two days!
  
  As we alerted members in the Action Alert, NORA champions in Congress recently introduced the "National Oilheat Research Alliance Act of 2009" (S.1672 in the Senate, H.R.3589 in the House). The bill would extend NORA reauthorization for an additional year, to February 2011, affording the industry valuable time to work with Congress on a longer-term reauthorization measure that would embrace efforts to develop a renewable, ultra-low sulfur heating fuel for homes and businesses.
• October O&E: CFTC’s Gensler, Industry Approves Momentous Resolution
  The October issue of Oil & Energy Magazine is now available online. In one of the most important issues of the year, O&E talks to Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman Gary Gensler about how he plans to regulate the markets to prevent rampant speculation and volatility. We also report on the industry summit in Baltimore that resulted in support of a resolution calling for an ultra low sulfur diesel biofuel blend to become the new heating oil standard. The issue also features our annual additives guide to ensure retailers are delivering the best fuel possible.
• OILHEAT INDUSTRY POLICY SUMMIT SET FOR TUESDAY
  As NEFI members well know, these are challenging times for any business or industry to thrive, and our industry is no different. On Tuesday, September 15th, an alliance of national, regional, state and local oilheat trade associations, industry leaders and other oilheat industry stakeholders will gather in Baltimore, Maryland for an unprecedented legislative and policy summit
• Congress Returns to Unprecedented Agenda
  This week, the Congress' annual summer recess will come to a close, and members will leave their home states for Washington, DC, where an unprecedented agenda awaits. We are facing more challenges as an industry than ever before, and in response, as was announced last week, NEFI is working with a new alliance of industry groups (now expanded to include American Energy Coalition!), stakeholders and advocates to meet these challenges head-on.
• September O&E: Improving Cash Flow
  The September issue of Oil & Energy Magazine is now available online. The issue looks at ways that heating oil and propane retailers can help increase their liquidity as they look to finance another season of supply. We include advice from financial experts on how businesses are adapting to tighter lending standards and how they can increase their relationship with banks, suppliers and their customers. We also talk to the Small Business Administration's New England Regional Administrator on new programs and rules that could aid dealers this year.
• New Oilheat Industry Coalition Looks to Turn Challenges Into Opportunities
  A newly formed alliance of national, regional and state heating oil industry trade and business groups, with top industry leaders, advocates, stakeholders and public/media relations coalitions have united to form a strong new bloc that will coordinate and collaborate on top industry public policy issues.
• Strong New Industry Coalition Looks