Urge Congress to Disapprove California’s Remaining Electrification Waivers
Congress has another chance to stop California from imposing costly, anti-consumer electrification rules on the rest of the country. Last year, Congress used the Congressional Review Act to reject California’s ban on new gas-powered cars and trucks. The state is still pushing the same agenda through other regulatory pathways targeting vehicles, ships, ports, lawn mowers, and other small engines.
California’s overreach threatens consumer choice, affordability, and energy reliability nationwide. The only reason the state can do this is because previous EPAs issued unlawful waivers that let California enforce its own rules. Other states have used those same waivers to copy California’s standards.
The EPA recently transmitted six California waivers to Congress for review under the Congressional Review Act which include: Advanced Clean Cars I (ACC I), Biden Administration reinstatement of ACC I, Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Standards, Small Off-Road Engine (SORE), Ocean-Going Vessels at Berth (CARB at Berth) and Commercial Harbor Craft (CHC). Your lawmakers now have a limited window to stop these mandates before they raise costs for American consumers and businesses. Last week, a coalition of trade groups including EMA and its 48 state and regional trade associations sent a letter to the Hill urging passage of the CRAs.
Why This Matters to Energy Marketers
California is relying on older EPA waivers to force electrification mandates that shrink the liquid-fuels market.
Rules covering passenger cars and trucks, lawn and garden equipment, ships, and ports would limit consumer choice, increase costs across the country, and undermine U.S. energy security.
Once these waivers stand, other states can adopt the same rules, turning one state’s experiment into a de facto national policy.
Congress can use CRA resolutions of disapproval to eliminate all six waivers and permanently block these unlawful California regulations.
| Click Here to Urge Congress to Vote YES on all Six CRA Resolutions |
Pennies Out: Pass the "Common Cents Act" Now
The penny is on its way out, and small retailers need clear federal rules now. Following President Trump’s direction, the U.S. Mint has stopped producing pennies for circulation. Existing pennies remain legal tender, but with no new coins entering the system, cash-dependent retailers are increasingly unable to make exact change. That shortage is creating real operational problems for small businesses.
Many states and localities still have “exact change” or similar rules on the books. Without a uniform federal standard, retailers who round cash totals to the nearest nickel risk compliance problems and a patchwork of conflicting state and local requirements. Small businesses should not be left in that legal gray area. Congress is close to a solution.
The House passed the Common Cents Act (H.R. 3074) by voice vote in July. The Senate passed its companion, S. 1525, by unanimous consent on August 7. The House should now take up S. 1525 quickly so Main Street businesses and consumers have one nationwide rule for everyday cash transactions. The Common Cents Act would codify the end of penny production for general circulation, allow retailers to round cash transactions to the nearest nickel when exact change cannot be provided, and protect businesses that follow those federal guidelines from conflicting state and local laws. Non-cash payments would still be charged to the exact cent.
| Click Here to Urge the House the Pass the Common Cents Act |
Register for Small Business Preparedness Webinar Now!
The FEMA Office of Business, Industry, and Infrastructure Integration (OB3I) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience (ODRR) will hold the next small business preparedness webinar on October 20, 2026 from 1:00PM – 2:30PM Eastern Time.
The Quarter Four session of the 2026 Small Business Disaster Preparedness Series is aimed at sharing critical information and resources for small businesses to successfully navigate disaster recovery situations and build resiliency before, during, and after disasters.
Click Here to Register via Zoom.
EMA Welcomes President Trump’s Call to Cut Swipe Fees
The Energy Marketers of America (EMA) welcomed President Trump’s pledge Wednesday night at the GOP midterm convention in Dallas to slash “out-of-control credit card swipe fees. “We will cut out-of-control credit card swipe fees, saving the average family at least $1,200 per year,” Trump said. “We will not allow Americans to pay seven to eight times more for those fees than they do in any other country.”
The remarks mark the President’s third public endorsement this year of the bipartisan Credit Card Competition Act, which would require large banks to offer merchants a second network besides Visa and Mastercard.
“President Trump is right,” said EMA President Rob Underwood. “Swipe fees are one of the largest expenses for our members after payroll. They squeeze thin-margin fuel retailers and raise prices for families at the pump. Congress should pass the Credit Card Competition Act now and restore real competition.”
Combined swipe fees hit a record $198.25 billion in 2025. EMA members paid an estimated $15 billion in a recent year. The association continues to urge swift passage of the legislation.
August 2026 Contributors to EMA MDF
EMA’s Marketer Defense Fund (MDF) committee wants to thank the following individuals for their MDF contributions during the August 1-31, 2026 timeframe:
Illinois:
Nate Harris, Illinois Fuel & Retail Association
Iowa:
John Maynes, Fuel Iowa
David Reif, Reif Oil Company
Michigan:
Brad Van Manen, Van Manen Petroleum Group
Mississippi:
Jake Sumrall, Sumrall Oil Services
Ohio:
Alex Boehnke, Ohio Energy and Convenience Association
Corporate donations are acceptable. MDF funds have been used to
create a COVID-19 Situational Update & Resources webpage, to hire
experts to cover important regulatory agencies and disaster relief
dedicated to strengthening our lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill. Click
here
to donate to the EMA MDF.
Weekend Reads
Merchants Welcome Trump Backing of Credit Card Swipe Fee Reform at GOP Midterm Convention | MPC
Altria sues FDA over tobacco product review system | Reuters
Carmakers Have a New Idea to Boost EV Range: Add a Gas Engine | The Wall Street Journal
Oil jumps to $105 a barrel after Middle East tanker attacks escalate | Reuters
US EIA hikes oil price forecasts as Iran war drains global stockpile | Reuters
Federated Insurance Risk Management Academy Complimentary
Webinar
Everyone Is a Target - How Can Cybersecurity Help
You?
Thursday, September 17, 2026, 2:00 PM Eastern
Time
This webinar gives an overview of the importance of implementing cybersecurity measures to protect against evolving threats, including ransomware attacks and AI-powered phishing. It will highlight the growing trend of double extortion, Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS), and critical infrastructure attacks, along with insights from case studies of significant ransomware incidents.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
How cybercriminals use AI-powered phishing and deepfakes.
Best practices for ransomware prevention and response.
Why employee training and monitoring are vital.
Steps to choose the right cybersecurity tools and providers.
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 507.455.5175 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®
EMA Member Services Spotlight Featuring: Hertz from National
Purchasing Partners (NPP)
Exclusive Discounts on Travel with Hertz and NPP
EMA members can now enjoy big
savings on Hertz car rentals—perfect for business trips, family visits,
or weekend adventures. Through NPP, you will get special contract
pricing on sedans, SUVs, trucks, EVs, 12-passenger vans, and box trucks
(where available).
And there’s more: once you activate the offer, you will enjoy free enrollment in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® for added convenience and perks.
Make the most of this opportunity—add Hertz to your list of member benefits and start sharing today!
NPP provides special contract pricing on a wide selection of Hertz rental vehicles including sedans, SUVs, trucks, electric vehicles, 12-passenger vans, and box trucks where available. Choose from convenient airport or neighborhood locations, weekly or monthly rates, and more.
Enroll with NPP for free to save.
NPP is a member benefit provider of Energy Marketers of America.
Restrictions may apply.