 |
RFS REFORM LEGISLATION A POSSIBILITY NEXT YEAR
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton
(R-MI) indicated this week that the Committee plans to
consider legislation next year to reform the RFS. An aide to
the Chairman said that because the yet to be released 2014
RFS blending volumes are likely to be challenged in the
courts once finalized, this will motivate Congress to reform
the RFS so that it works for all stakeholders. Last year,
Chairman Upton and Ranking Member Henry Waxman (D-CA),
through a series of bipartisan white papers and hearings,
reviewed the RFS which particularly focused on the ethanol
blendwall.
PMAA currently supports a regulatory adjustment to the RFS
to prevent chaos in the retail motor fuels marketplace by
adjusting the corn-based ethanol mandate to a level
achievable with E10 and reasonable growth for E85. EPA’s
currently proposed 2014 corn-based ethanol volumes does just
that, however, it is unclear when the EPA will release the
final rule.
FMCSA REPORTS INCREASE IN DOCTORS CERTIFIED TO CONDUCT CDL MEDICAL EXAM
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration has announced that 8,000 more health
professionals have been added to the National Registry of
Certified Medical Examiners since the new system for U.S.
DOT medical examinations launched last month with 22,000
providers. Another 22,500 medical professionals have also
initiated the process for gaining their certification,
according to the agency.
A recent U.S. DOT rule
requires drivers to select a medical professional from the
registry to conduct physical fitness exams necessary for CDL
licensure. The new rule went into effect on May 21, 2014. In
order to be listed on the National Registry, medical
professionals must earn certification by completing training
and testing in FMCSA's physical qualification standards for
drivers. Most private practice doctors are not expected to
undergo the required testing, training and certification. As
a result, many drivers who have relied on family doctors to
provide CDL medical qualification certificates will likely
have to go elsewhere for a physical.
Typically,
medical professionals on the national registry are private
clinics specializing in DOT compliance services. The FMCSA
said the rule is necessary to prevent medical professionals
with no knowledge of FMCSA rules from “rubber stamping”
driver medical certificates. The rule was mandated by
Congress under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient
Transportation Equity Act of 2005 (49 U.S.C. 31149). The new
rule applies to all interstate and intrastate CDL drivers
including those with HAZMAT endorsements. Drivers are not
required to use the National Registry until their next
regularly scheduled medical fitness exam as indicated by the
expiration date on their current medical certificates.
A listing of medical providers in the registry is
available at:
https://nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov/NRPublicUI/home.seam
VOTE ON TEMPORARY HIGHWAY BILL TO OCCUR NEXT WEEK
The Senate is
expected to vote next week on a short-term deal before
federal officials start delaying payments on August 1 to
states for road and bridge construction projects. The House
passed a bill (H.R. 5021) last week (367-55) that would fund
the highway program through May 2015.
The Senate
will bring up the House bill and two alternative funding
bills as well as a few amendments. The final outcome is
likely to be passage of the House funding bill with a
refocus again on a long term highway funding solution. The
two other funding patches include the Senate Finance
Committee approved bill and a proposal authored by Sen.
Barbara Boxer (D-CA). The House bill is similar to the
Senate Finance bill with both providing roughly $10.8
billion for the Highway Trust Fund. Both plans use pension
smoothing and an extension of customs user fees as offsets,
but the Senate Finance Committee bill also includes $4.3
billion in tax compliance provisions that will not pass the
House. Although President Obama would also like a long-term
fix, he has approved the short term House bill.
Most
significant to petroleum marketers, both the House and
Senate Finance Committee plans contain language fought by
PMAA that would transfer one billion dollars from the
Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) Trust Fund, leaving
only $400 million. Petroleum marketers have supported the
LUST Fund and have paid $3.8 billion in LUST taxes since its
inception. In 2012, Congress included a provision in the
Highway bill that raided the LUST Trust Fund of $2.4 billion
dollars and moved it to the Highway Trust Fund. While PMAA
opposed this provision, Congress could have lessened the
blow by including language which would have required that
future revenue collected for the LUST Fund is used for its
intended purpose. Now Congress is back to raid from the
petroleum marketers fund, this time proposing to take one
billion dollars of the remaining $1.4 billion from the fund.
PMAA believes the LUST Fund should be solely used to
support UST leak prevention and remediation programs. PMAA
is also concerned that states might increase tank fees to
account for the LUST Fund shortfall. Raiding another one
billion dollars from the fund will cripple important
programs and ultimately harm marketing companies who have
paid the tax and built the fund over the past 25 years. If
the fund isn’t being used for its intended purpose, the fee
should be eliminated.
The Senate will also consider a
proposal from Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) that would phase down the
federal gas tax to 3.7 cents per gallon and move highway
authority to the states. Given the ongoing debate to raise
revenue for the Highway Trust Fund, any proposal which
decreases the federal gasoline tax is not likely to move
forward.
MAKE YOUR HOTEL RESERVATIONS NOW TO JOIN PMAA AND NACS IN LAS VEGAS THIS OCTOBER
Every year, the NACS Show brings together convenience and
fuel retailing industry professionals for four days of
learning, buying and selling, networking and fun — all
designed to help participants grow and run successful
operations. For industry retailers who are serious about the
success of their business, the NACS Show is a can't miss
event. The NACS Show will be held from October 7 to 10 at
the Las Vegas Convention Center.
This year’s NACS Show features 400,000 net square feet of
exhibit space, which officially sold out on May 2.
Applications are being accepted for the booth waitlist. Expo
hours will take place Wednesday, October 8, 11:30 am – 5:30
pm; Thursday, October 9, 11:30 am – 5:30 pm; and Friday,
October 10, 9 am – 1:30 pm. Attendees can also look forward
to three days of general sessions and 65 educational
sessions, as well as training sessions for small operators
with five stores or less.
Dr. Robert Gates, former secretary of defense and director
of the Central Intelligence Agency, has been announced as a
Closing General Session speaker at the NACS Show. Dr. Gates
served as the 22nd secretary of defense from 2006 to 2011
under both President George W. Bush and President Barack
Obama. He is the only defense secretary in U.S. history to
be asked to remain in office by a newly elected president.
President Obama awarded Gates the Presidential Medal of
Freedom, America’s highest civilian honor, in 2011.
“Dr. Gates will deliver a compelling behind-the-scenes view
of world events over the past quarter century, as well as
the context for how current affairs could affect and reshape
our political and retail landscape,” said NACS Vice Chairman
of Convention Jack Kofdarali, president of J&T Management
Company Inc. in Corona, California. “From the ever-changing
landscape in the Middle East, specifically, Iran, to
security and defense issues like drones, Dr. Gates will
address some of the most significant events in the world
today.”
Please note that the NACS Show Registration is
separate from the PMAA Meeting Registration.
PMAA’s Fall Meeting will be held on October 6-7 at Westgate
Las Vegas Resort and Casino. Please view current information
here. Registration is now open!
CRAIG EERKES EARNS TOP NATIONAL HONOR
 Washington state petroleum marketer Craig Eerkes has
been selected to receive PMAA’s highest honor, the
Distinguished Service Award. The award will be
presented at a luncheon held in his honor on October
6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Craig is the CEO of
Sun Pacific Energy in Kennewick, Washington. He has
worked in the petroleum industry over 30 years and
has been an industry leader at the local, state and
national level.
Eerkes has led industry
associations such as Washington Oil Marketers
Association (WOMA), the Western Petroleum Marketers
Association and PMAA. He was elected Vice President
of WOMA in 1991, and served as president in 1993-94.
He was elected WPMA 3rd Vice President in 1995-96,
and then rose up the chairs until he became WPMA
President in 1998-99. From 2000 to 2003 Craig served
as WPMA’s Senior PMAA Director, and in 2004 PMAA
asked him to serve as Western Regional Chairman. He
rose through the chairs to serve as Chairman of PMAA
in 2007.
Craig is very generous with his
time, talents, and personal resources. He is a
strong supporter of United Way, the Kennewick First
Presbyterian Church, Young Life, the Boys and Girls
Club, the Boy Scouts, 4H and the Mid-Columbia
Reading Foundation.
Craig and his wife
Marilee have been married over 42 years and live in
Kennewick with son Chris, daughter-in-law Sarah, and
three granddaughters. In 2006 Craig was recognized
as the Kennewick Man of the Year and earlier this
year as the Tri-Citian of the Year for his continued
support of the community.
The PMAA
Distinguished Service Award Committee was Chaired by
North Dakota marketer Matt Bjornson. Serving on the
committee with him were, Brad Bell, Washington; Jim
Garrett, Massachusetts; Gary Johnson, Texas; and
Roger Lane, Georgia.
PMAA PARTNER SPOTLIGHT FEATURING: FEDERATED INSURANCE
FINAL
CALL for PMAA Members Profit Through Risk Management By
Attending Designated Risk Manager Seminar Offered September
15-17, 2014Companies most successful at
controlling losses have designated a key person as their
risk manager. This person is supported by top management and
is both responsible and accountable for identifying loss
exposures and implementing risk management solutions.
Federated’s
Designated Risk Manager Seminar was
developed to target specific risk management concerns for
the petroleum industry. It is a valuable training tool for
all risk managers, regardless of their experience in the
position.
Through PMAA's Platinum Partner
relationship with Federated Insurance, there is no charge to
attend this training and you do not have to be a current
Federated client. Attendees are responsible for airfare,
transportation to and from the airport, hotel and incidental
meals. Dozens of PMAA's jobbers and dealers have attended in
the past and can give referrals on the course content.
As you consider sending the appropriate company
representative to this invaluable seminar, perhaps ask
yourself the following questions:
-
Are you completely
satisfied that the risk management culture at your firm is
where it needs to be to protect profitability?
-
If you
have few losses, are you lucky or are you good? Are you
consistently executing all of the risk management best
practices available to help you avoid costly and preventable
losses?
There is still availability in this class
which is limited to 25 attendees! The last day to register
is August 15, 2014. Please contact
Royetta Spurgeon at
Federated of by calling 507.455.5604 or 800.533.0472 for
more information.
PMAA MEMBER SERVICES SPOTLIGHT FEATURING: STAPLES ADVANTAGE®
The
PMAA / Staples Advantage program
brings many benefits to all PMAA members. Not only does
Staples have great prices on office supplies and technology
items, but we also offer a wide variety of products and
services to help you consolidate vendors, streamline
processes and cut down on ordering costs.
Weekly Specials: Fantastic savings on furniture,
technology, office supplies and more! Be sure to check back
weekly!
Staples Back to School Center: For College, K-12 and
Teachers, Staples is your go-to place to get ready to go
back to school! Check out the latest
technology for college,
dorm room décor,
dorm room essentials,
gift cards and even
textbook rentals — all for less. See Staples Back to
School 110 percent Price Match Guarantee for a limited time
only.
With our Copy & Print Account Manager,
you get:
-
Help managing your
specific print needs with savings and efficiency
recommendations
-
Quick-turn
print-on-demand services at your nearby Staples® store
with access to high-quality, closed-door production
facilities when you need them
-
Local in-person
support throughout the entire ordering process
To find out more about making Staples your
one source for all of your business needs or to check for
further discounts or a custom program when ordering large
ticket technology, furniture, bulk purchases and custom
printing, please contact PMAA’s National Inside
Account Consultant
Albina
Oboimova or 888.224.3784 extension
4117. You can also call Staples Customer Service at
877.826.7755 or
Order@StaplesAdvantage.com.
|
|
