Urge Senators to Support Congressional Resolutions to Overturn the “California Car” Mandate

Recently, the House of Representatives approved three Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions to overturn Biden-era rules granting Clean Air Act waivers to California. The resolutions, introduced by Reps. John Joyce (R-PA), John James (R-MI), and Jay Obernolte (R-CA), would overturn the Environmental Protection Agency’s approval of the Clean Air Act waiver for California's Advanced Clean Cars (ACC II) rule, along with approved federal waivers for the State's clean trucks and heavy-duty NOx rules. 10 Democrats supported the Congressional Resolution to stop California from dictating which cars motorists should drive and 13 democrats voted to block California’s electric truck mandate.

The CRA resolutions were strongly supported by the Energy Marketers of America. Under the CRA, Congress is empowered to review “rules” issued by federal agencies, including EPA, before the rules take effect. Congress may review a rule for a period of 60 days and then disapprove it using special procedures, including a joint resolution of disapproval. The EPA transmitted the three waiver approvals to Congress earlier this year, starting the clock for review of the waivers by lawmakers.

Now the House approved resolutions head to the Senate where chances of success are likely, however, there does remain a few outstanding procedural questions. That’s because Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, who acts as the Senate’s independent referee, disagrees that the CRA can be used to overturn California’s emissions standard rules. Her ruling followed a Government Accountability Office opinion issued last month saying that California’s waivers aren’t federal rules subject to CRA. The GOP needs 51 votes to approve the CRA so they can only lose two votes.

California’s ACC II rule includes a mandate for vehicle manufacturers to sell increasing percentages of zero-emission vehicles in the State, beginning in model year 2026, and culminating in a ban on internal combustion engine-powered vehicles in 2035. To date, 17 states have adopted portions of California’s light- and heavy-duty vehicle regulations. By design, California’s ACC II rules operate to reduce the liquid fuels market by giving preferential treatment to electric vehicles, thereby injuring energy marketers and others who participate in the market. EPA’s waivers not only increase vehicle costs but also increase the costs of goods and the cost of living for American families.

EMA calls on energy marketers to contact their Senators, urging them to support the CRA resolutions of disapproval for the California waivers and restoring vehicle choice for all Americans.

Urge Senators to Support the Credit Card Competition Act

Possible Senate action on the Credit Card Competition Act could happen this week. The bill would simply require credit cards issued by the largest U.S. banks have at least two unaffiliated card payment networks available to process transactions. While it’s unclear if this will come to fruition, we want to ensure our members know where we stand, and that’s why we are urging you to contact your Senators now to explain how credit card fees hit your businesses and encourage them to support the Credit Card Competition Act as an amendment to a moving piece of legislation. The more pressure we put on Congress for an Up or Down vote on the Credit Card Competition Act, the better off we are for success!

Where are we? And where are we going? A review of the first 100 days of the Trump Administration

The Small Business Legislative Council (SBLC) is hosting a webinar which is available to members of its participating associations and industry groups. If you belong to an organization within the SBLC coalition (EMA is a member association), you may register for free.

With numerous tariff actions shaping the trade landscape, this webinar will serve as a status update rather than an in-depth discussion on any single policy area. Our goal is to provide attendees with a clear picture of the current regulatory environment and what may be ahead when the pause on reciprocal tariffs ends on July 9—a key inflection point for the Trump administration’s trade policy.

We will review recent tariff developments, including steel and aluminum measures, and provide insight into the broader implications of the administration’s proposed reciprocal tariff strategy. Attendees will gain a high-level understanding of how these evolving trade policies may impact businesses and industries moving forward.

Special EMA Members Code for NACS Show 2025 Registration

The NACS Show is returning to Chicago this October and this year's Energy Marketers of America's Registration Code is: 2025EMANS

Using the 2025EMANS 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 13, 2025.

**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. CLICK HERE for full instructions to register.

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.

Urge Lawmakers to Support Biodiesel Blender’s Tax Credit Extension

Recently, Representatives Mike Carey (R-OH), Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Darin LaHood (R-IL), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Ashely Hinson (R-IA) and Claudia Tenney (R-NY) introduced the “Biodiesel Tax Credit Extension Act of 2025,” (H.R. 3137) which aims to extend the $1 per gallon biodiesel blender’s tax credit through 2026. Extending the biodiesel blender’s tax credit is important to energy marketers to sell a growing portfolio of affordable, efficient, and environmentally friendly liquid fuels that are helping to reduce emissions while propelling Americans forward and lowering heating fuel costs.

Unfortunately, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which was signed into law in 2022, replaced the biodiesel blender’s tax credit with a new 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit (CFPC) based on carbon intensity scores. Ethanol, biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) will all be eligible for the new production tax credit, however, the Department of the Treasury has yet to publish final CFPC guidance. Therefore, it is important that Congress acts soon to extend the biodiesel blender’s tax credit to give impacted industries market certainty for at least another year.

• Heating fuels marketers -- click here to write Congress to extend the Biodiesel Blender’s Tax Credit.

• Motor fuels marketers -- click here to write Congress to extend the Biodiesel Blender’s Tax Credit.

Meanwhile, EMA submitted comments on 45Z implementation and the Importance of Extending the Biofuel Blender’s Tax Credit. Click here to read the comments.

Weekly Reads

Trucking gives DOT an earful on unshackling freight market

Trump tax bill passes in key US House committee vote

Federated Insurance® Launches 2½-Day Risk Management Academy Offering for Petroleum Business Owners in May

Federated Insurance® is excited to formally invite business owners in the petroleum industries to attend our complimentary 2½ -Day Risk Management Academy (RMA) offerings from May 20-22, 2025. Led by risk management professionals, this session will be held at Federated®'s Home Office in Owatonna, Minnesota.

Often, business owners may find themselves so busy in the day-to-day workings of their company that they may have less time to focus on the overall safety of their business. The RMA sessions can help owners in the petroleum industry learn how to prevent losses impacting their bottom line by developing risk management best practices, connecting with industry peers facing similar challenges and insurance professionals who are committed to helping owners, and applying what is learned to make a difference at their businesses.

Key Agenda Items:

• Developing a risk management culture

• Learning the importance of risk management for businesses

• Advantages of using Federated DriveSAFE℠ Telematics

• Evaluating workers compensation risks

• Focusing on business succession and employee retention

Building a culture of workplace safety starts with business leaders. Learn more and register now to attend this valuable 2½-Day RMA to help take risk management to the next level. To reserve your spot in the upcoming session, or for more information, please contact FederatedRMA@fedins.com or please reach out to your Federated regional representative or EMA’s National Account Executive Jack West at 262.719.7750. Federated is a Partner in EMA’s Board of Directors Council.

At Federated Insurance, It’s Our Business to Protect Yours®

About Federated Insurance

Founded in 1904, Federated Insurance is a national insurance and risk management organization that serves the property, casualty, and life insurance needs of clients in select industries. The organization has 500+ recommendations from state, regional, and national associations and buying groups and is rated A+ (Superior) by industry analyst A.M. Best®.