North American Executive Issue 102a | Page 10

_________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________
he is keen to raise awareness of the benefits that sustainable fuel , particularly Bioheat ® fuel for heating the home , can bring to not just individual end users , but also local companies and communities .
He takes up the story : “ I was first approached by Clean Fuels as someone they thought would be a good representative for Bioheat ® fuel , but at that time I was completely unfamiliar with the product . I am not the type of person to do a campaign for the sake of it – first I want to take my time to learn about what it entails . So , I really dove in and became a student before I decided to get involved .
“ Also , I am careful not to use my platform to tell people what to do . I have a lot of fans from my work in music and television , and rather than telling my followers what they should think , instead I share things that I ’ m excited about , and encourage them to follow what they believe . This product and process was one I became enthusiastic about .”
For a little background on the fuel , Bioheat ® fuel is a renewable energy source that blends traditional heating oil with biodiesel , significantly reducing carbon emissions and environmental impact . Biodiesel is produced across America from a variety of raw materials and by-products that would otherwise be wasted . Furthermore , it can be used in today ’ s high-efficiency heating oil equipment without modification .
“ Clean Fuels has done so much work with its members to create a product that is an easy alternative to traditional heating oil ,” continues Donnie . “ It usually doesn ’ t require anyone to change their boiler , heating system , or tank , or invest in infrastructure . It ’ s just a new option that people can choose , that goes in the tank , warms the home , but is sustainable and better for the planet . They can keep the same fuel provider in most cases and just say , ‘ Hey , just switch me over to biodiesel instead of the regular home heating oil .’
“ It was also interesting to discover that this product is particularly relevant and readily
available in the Northeast US where I grew up ! People in these neighborhoods may have inherited a home and a way of life from a parent or grandparent and want to maintain their traditions , but this is a small way in which they can modernize . I could see that this product made sense for people living in homes like my old one , that use heating oil to keep their families warm . These are some of the main reasons that pushed me over the top about wanting to get involved .”
An easier choice
The community aspect of the product spoke to Donnie – Bioheat ® fuel is delivered by local , family-owned businesses that have been serving their communities for generations . This link to family and location was recreated in a video promo filmed right at Donnie ’ s own childhood home . “ Growing up in the
10