On May 13, the House of Representatives passed a bill, with a vote of 218-203, to allow the year-round sale of E15 ethanol-blend fuel, a move intended to support corn farmers and provide a cheaper domestic fuel option amid high gas prices. While the vote is a victory for Midwestern lawmakers, the legislation faces an uphill battle in the Senate due to entrenched opposition from oil-state representatives. Opponents of the measure, including oil refiners, environmental groups, and fiscal hawks, cite concerns regarding rising compliance costs, potential climate harm, and a CBO analysis indicating the bill would add billions to the federal deficit over the next decade.
The EPA has proposed a two-year delay and a comprehensive rewrite of the "Tier 4" conventional pollution standards for new light-duty vehicles, pushing the initial compliance deadline from 2027 to 2029. Administrator Lee Zeldin stated that the move aims to "return EPA regulations to reality" by addressing insufficient electric vehicle adoption rates and restoring consumer choice. The agency plans to use the delay to reconsider the entire Tier 4 program, including its emission standards and phase-in schedules, while current Tier 3 standards remain in place for the interim.
The Merchants Payments Coalition and 17 other trade groups have sent a letter urging the Senate Banking Committee to reject a proposal that would raise the asset threshold for debit card swipe fee regulations from $10 billion to approximately $15 billion. This legislative change would exempt dozens of banks from current fee caps, potentially allowing them to charge an average of 62 cents per transaction, nearly triple the current regulated rate, and resulting in higher prices for consumers and small businesses. The Merchant Payments Coalition and other opponents warn that expanding these exemptions would increase inflation at the checkout counter and add to the significant financial burden swipe fees already place on American families, who currently pay an average of $1,200 more per year due to these costs.
EMA Submits Comprehensive Comments on PEI/RP900
The Energy Marketers of America (EMA) has formally submitted detailed comments to the Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI) on the latest draft or revision of PEI/RP900: Recommended Practices for the Inspection and Maintenance of Underground Storage Tank (UST) Systems.
Widely recognized as the primary industry reference for proper UST inspection, operation, and maintenance, PEI/RP900 consolidates guidance from equipment manufacturers, contractors, marketers, and regulators. It is also explicitly referenced in the 2015 EPA UST regulations as an acceptable code of practice for meeting federal walkthrough inspection requirements. EMA’s input is intended to strengthen the document’s clarity, technical accuracy, consistency, and real-world applicability for fuel marketers operating gasoline, diesel, and biofuel systems nationwide.
| CLICK HERE TO READ EMA’S COMMENTS |
EMA Regulatory Alert: FMCSA Launches Motus — New Motor Carrier Registration System Action Required Before May 14
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is replacing its existing registration infrastructure with a new, centralized platform called Motus — and the current FMCSA Portal is scheduled to go dark permanently on May 14, 2026 at 8:00 PM EDT. EMA members holding a USDOT number must take action now to avoid being locked out of or delayed in accessing the new system.
What Is Motus?
Motus — from the Latin word for "movement" — will serve as the single destination for all FMCSA registration activities, consolidating functions currently spread across the FMCSA Portal, the Unified Registration System (URS), and other legacy tools. Motor carriers, freight brokers, surface freight forwarders, cargo tank facilities, and other regulated entities will use Motus to apply for operating authority, maintain USDOT registrations, complete biennial updates, and manage financial responsibility filings.
Fraud prevention is at the core of the new system. According to FMCSA, the new system will:
“ensure that the business claiming an identity is who it says it is, thus preventing unauthorized” access and use of information for fraudulent purposes; identify and mitigate instances of fraud, including account takeover, false identity creation, and other deceptive purposes; enable trustworthy and secure digital transactions by ensuring that business is engaging in online activities that are authenticated and authorized; and prevent the exposure of confidential data by ensuring that only authorized individuals of the business have access to specific resources or services.”
Motus addresses identity theft, account loss, and fraudulent insurance actions through mandatory identity verification — requiring a government-issued ID and a facial scan via smartphone — and independent business verification confirming a company's legal name, ownership structure, principal place of business, and registration standing.
FMCSA is rolling out Motus in phases. Phase I launched December 8, 2025, for supporting companies including BOC-3 filers and insurance companies. Phase II — opening Motus to all regulated entities — is planned for Q2 2026, immediately following the May 14 Portal shutdown.
Why This Matters for EMA Members
Fuel distributors with USDOT numbers should be aware of the changes. Entities that fail to prepare their FMCSA Portal accounts before the May 14 deadline risk verification delays, locked accounts, and potential disruption to registration and compliance activities when Motus opens.
Action Required — Do This Before May 14
FMCSA is specifically requesting that all USDOT-registered entities complete the following steps immediately:
Confirm your FMCSA Portal account is active. Accounts go inactive after 90 days of non-use and are archived after 12 months — reactivation requires contacting FMCSA directly and may take significant time.
Verify the designated Company Official. This must be an owner or authorized internal employee. Their Login.gov email must match what will be used to access Motus — a mismatch will prevent the company from claiming its USDOT number in the new system.
Ensure all company information is current. Address, operation classification, and authorized users must be up to date. Outdated records will trigger verification delays under Motus's strict data validation process.
Remove unauthorized users from your FMCSA Portal account — anyone who has left the organization or changed roles should be removed now.
See FMCSA’s guidance on how to prepare for Motus here.
See Motus website for more information here.
Special EMA Members Code for NACS Show 2026 Registration
Registration is now open for the 2026 NACS Show in Las Vegas, Nevada from October 6-9. Please use EMA’s promocode to register. EMANS2026
| Click Here to Register for the NACS Show |
If you have already registered, please provide your full name, company, state and date you registered to Karma O’Neill so we can work with NACS to get you re-coded.
Using the EMANS2026 code provides EMA with $100 for every retailer or marketer paid registration at any rate. EMA encourages EMA state execs to promote and share with your state association's member companies. Click here for the flyer and the early bird pricing ends June 12, 2026.
**Please note that EMA State Execs are comped for NACS Show registration. Additionally, the NACS Show registration is separate from EMA's Fall Meeting registration.
Questions registering for NACS Show? 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.
Energy Secretary says Trump 'open' to pausing gas tax amid climbing prices | USA Today
EPA Sets Record Renewable Fuel Volumes for 2026-2027 | American Farm Bureau Federation
Meet Cameron Hamilton, the Fired FEMA Chief Who Trump Has Nominated to Lead the Agency Again | Time
Member Services Benefit with RINAlliance
Are you taking advantage of the Renewable Fuel Standard?
In 2024, the Energy Marketers of America announced an exclusive
member service agreement with RINAlliance, so that every fuel marketer
has an opportunity to leverage the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).
Whether a fuel marketer is determining whether to blend and take
renewable fuel with RINs, or whether they are a current RFS participant
looking to improve RIN management, RINAlliance can help with strategies,
tools and expert support.
Schedule your consultation today to learn more by visiting www.rinalliance.com/contact.
Be sure to tell them you heard about RINAlliance through EMA or one of
its Federation members.
| CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION WITH RINAlliance |
Federated Insurance Risk Management Academy Complimentary
Webinar
Understanding Artificial Intelligence [AI] in the
Workplace
Thursday, May 21, 2026 2:00 PM Eastern Time
This webinar will cover the rise of AI and its growing role in workplace tools and technology. Employers can benefit from this session by gaining an understanding of AI to help manage it in their workplaces. Topics that will be covered include opportunities and risks AI brings, how employees might use it, and the guidelines for using it responsibly.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
What are the types of AI and why does that matter?
Which laws govern the use of AI by employers and what are the limitations?
What are the main benefits and risks of using AI in the workplace?
What elements are essential for workplace AI policies?
Click here to Register Today!
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Business Owners/Operators
Risk Managers
Operations Managers
HR Professionals
For additional information or to discuss this in further detail, please contact your Federated regional representative or EMA’s National Account Executive Jack West at 262.719.7750 for any additional information or risk management questions. Federated is a Partner in EMA’s Board of Directors Council.
At Federated Insurance, It’s Our Business to Protect Yours®