Inside the Beltway Update

While Congress is in Recess for the entire month of August, Congressional leaders are already preparing for what promises to be a busy Fall. Congress is looking down the pike at a swath of must-pass or must-extend legislation by September 30, which includes funding the government through FY 2024, reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration, passing the 2023 Farm Bill, and more. Despite Congress’s growing list of must-dos, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) have expressed a sense of urgency to advance a short-term government funding extension to avoid a government shutdown on October 1.

When the House returns September 12, lawmakers will have only 12 working days until the fiscal year deadline expires and, as such, Speaker McCarthy told the House Republican caucus this week that a stopgap spending bill — or continuing resolution (CR) – will be the priority when Congress returns. Leader Schumer said that a stopgap spending bill through early December “makes a good deal of sense.”

However, passage of a CR is not guaranteed due to House Freedom Caucus opposition to current spending levels. While a government shutdown remains possible, McCarthy and Schumer’s comments show the two leaders are aligned across party lines in wanting to avoid the government shutdown, passage of which will require votes from Republicans and Democrats.

Hurricane Season is Here, Stay Prepared

Ninety percent of annual tropical activity in the Atlantic basin occurs after August 1st. EMA urges you to stay prepared for the destructive effects of hurricane season. This season is expected to have an above normal amount of tropical activity over the Atlantic basin.

Energy marketers are at ground zero during disasters and always stand ready to respond. They work around the clock to distribute fuel where it is needed. EMA and its state associations work to assist marketers in removing obstacles to their ability to supply and distribute fuel and to help with resources. EMA also stays in constant communication with the federal government and provides information to government agencies regarding stations that are open following a disaster.

EMA founded the Disaster Fuel Response Program where we provide information about marketers who are willing to deliver fuel to utilities, government agencies, first responders, medical facilities, companies and organizations that respond to disasters. We urge you to consider adding your company to the program listing. Members that join the program are under no obligations whatsoever, it simply means you might be contacted by a business or government entity to seek your business. All sizes of marketing companies are welcome in the program.

EMA’S Fall Meeting at the NACS Show 2023 Registration is Open!
Registration Deadline is September 1, 2023!  

EMA will hold its Fall Meeting in conjunction with the NACS Show on October 2-3 at Courtland Grand Hotel, Trademark Collection by Wyndham (formerly Sheraton). The EMA meeting will begin with a New Attendee Orientation mid-afternoon on October 2 followed by the Federal Legislative Update. NACS/EMA Reception Salute to State Association Executives (all EMA members are welcome) will follow at Georgia World Congress Center Hunter Club Lounge. On the morning of October 3, there will be a Buffet Breakfast followed by Region and Committee Meetings. The EMA Board of Directors meeting is scheduled after the Distinguished Service Award Luncheon honoring Arkansas Marketer Steve Turner exclusively sponsored by EMA Board of Directors Council Partner Federated Insurance.

Please note that there is limited availability for rooms in the EMA block at Courtland Grand Hotel.  Room reservations will be closing no later than August 24 to re-evaluate inventory. The NACS Block only has availability in Buckhead.

**Please note that the NACS Show registration is separate from EMA’s Fall Meeting registration.

EMA Members Code for NACS Show 2023 Registration

Please register for the 2023 NACS Show in Atlanta, Georgia from October 3 – 6 and use the EMA NACS Show Registration Code below.

Questions registering?  Contact NACS Show registration customer service at nacs@maritz.com or 469-513-9489, Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST, for assistance.

Urge Lawmakers to Support the Credit Card Competition Act

EMA encourages you to continue your outreach over August recess when members will be at home to let them know that you want them to cosponsor/support this important legislation. The banks are using every single tool possible to prevent this important legislation from getting to the floor and threatening that credit card rewards will disappear. In a new research paper released recently, global payments consulting firm CMSPI estimated that credit card rewards would be reduced by less than one-tenth of 1 percent “at most” if the legislation becomes law.

Cash, Cash, Cash & More Cash: MDF Raffle Being Held During EMA’s Fall Meeting at the NACS Show

Get your Energy Marketers of America Marketer Defense Fund (MDF) raffle tickets now for a chance to win $1,000 in cash. The EMA MDF will hold a raffle during the Atlanta, Georgia October 2-3 conference. The raffle winner will be identified on October 3 and does not have to be present to win. If you are not attending the conference, you will be notified the week following the October drawing if you are the $1,000 “richer” raffle winner.

The proceeds of the raffle will benefit the EMA MDF. The EMA Marketers established the MDF to assure that the industry’s best interests are represented on the legislative and regulatory front. This fund has already effectively defeated regulatory initiatives such as proposed requirements to place the point of compliance for fuel quality at the retailer, to force a 10-micron diesel filter mandate as well as a costly wetlines retrofit and automatic temperature compensation (ATC) at retail.

A marketer can make corporate contributions by check or credit card to this program and there is no limit on the amount of contribution. All the money is used to support EMA lobbying goals. You can donate online by clicking here or scanning the QR code on the flyer.

Tickets are $25 each or five for $100. Advanced tickets are available until September 28. Ticket sales will continue at Energy Marketers of America’s conference in Atlanta until the drawing on October 3. Tickets can be purchased with personal or corporate funds by MasterCard, VISA, American Express, cash or check (checks should be made out to the Energy Marketers of America Marketer Defense Fund). To purchase tickets before September 28, please email completed MDF Raffle flyer (Attachment) to Susan Isard.

Weekend Reads

With more EV charging stations, why is driver satisfaction down?

How a Republican president could hobble the climate law | E&E New

Democrats’ climate law set off a wave of energy projects in GOP districts. A backlash followed. | Politico

This Is When USA Oil Output Will Average Over 13MM Barrels Per Day | Rigzone

Return of the ICE: Have EVs Peaked? | Auto Evolution

Nikola recalls electric trucks due to battery pack fire risks | Transport Dive

Federated Insurance: It’s Your Life
Have You Started Thinking About Digital Estate Planning?

Many people have accounts online — from email accounts to banking, you likely are subscribed to a variety of sites. With so much of your life taking place online, what happens to your accounts when you are no longer there to manage them?

It’s important to plan for these digital assets to prevent any financial or sentimental losses. While laws and regulations around data and digital assets are still developing, there are succession planning steps you can take to prepare now.

Please click here for digital estate planning considerations.

Please always feel free to contact your Federated regional representative or EMA’s National Account Executive Jon Medo at 800.533.0472 for any additional information or risk management questions. Federated is a Partner in EMA’s Board of Directors Council.

Chevron Renewable Energy Group
Energy Everywhere: Renewable Diesel

Chevron’s Energy Everywhere series highlights how the company is helping power everyday life through different forms of energy. The June 2023 post explores why renewable diesel, made from soybean oil and used cooking oil, is a necessary component of our a lower-carbon future. It can be seamlessly blended, transported and co-processed with petroleum diesel for use in heavy-duty equipment like garbage trucks, long-haul semi-trucks and trains; and transported using existing infrastructure like pipelines, terminals and fueling stations. Click through to find out how Chevron’s biofeedstocks and biofuels like renewable diesel are helping to lower the carbon intensity of the transportation industry.

For additional information about Chevron Renewable Energy Group please visit or contact Jason Lawrence.