With only four weeks scheduled for the remainder of 2025, Congress is prioritizing passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which will likely be the last legislative vehicle this year. Even so, both Chambers are actively pursuing opportunities to pass individual bills and prepare for an active legislative agenda in Q1 2026. This week, the US House of Representatives passed the REFINER Act which is described as ensuring U.S. refineries are being used effectively to produce the oil, gas, and other critical feedstocks. The House also passed the Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act to expand American energy production and infrastructure by removing U.S. LNG export restrictions.
Following the government’s reopening, Congress is urging HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to quickly release LIHEAP funds that have been frozen for over six weeks. Recognizing the impact this has on millions of low-income households in need of a warm home, a bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Sens. Reed (D-RI), Collins (R-ME), and Murkowski (R-AK) urged Secretary Kennedy to "immediately release the highest amount" of LIHEAP funding available under the continuing resolution. Although the administration says it will move swiftly, the record-long shutdown and prior LIHEAP staff layoffs may still slow distribution. States have expressed concern that it could take weeks for LIHEAP funds to reach households and are urging utilities to pause shutoffs in the meantime.
The Trump Administration is reportedly considering delaying for one or two years its proposed cuts in incentives for imported biofuels amid pressure from U.S. refiners who argue the move could raise costs and tighten fuel supplies. EMA previously shared concerns with the Administration that the proposed changes could destabilize the biodiesel and renewable diesel markets, already reeling from the rocky transition in the emissions-based Section 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit. The EPA’s proposal to reduce Renewable Identification Number (RIN) credits for imported fuels and feedstocks could inflate compliance costs and RIN prices, particularly impacting regions like the Northeast and Midwest that rely on imports. EMA opposed this change and advocated for a phased approach if it must proceed, to mitigate price shocks and supply chain disruptions. Additionally, while neutral on proposed volume targets for biomass-based diesel, EMA cautioned against further market design changes that could erode investor confidence, highlighting the need for regulatory certainty to recover from recent production declines and for long-term growth.
Finally, the House Energy Subcommittee approved the Energy Choice Act which represents growing support for protecting energy affordability, reliability, and consumer choice. EMA sent a letter to House Energy Subcommittee Chairman Bob Latta (R-OH) supporting passage of the Energy Choice Act (H.R. 3699 / S. 1945) last week calling it the last line of defense against state and local bans on heating oil, gas and propane.
The Energy Choice Act would prevent governments from blocking any energy source, from heating oil to renewable biofuels. It protects choice, fuels competition, and keeps low-carbon options like renewable diesel in play.
Pennies Out: Why Retailers Need Changes to the “Common Cents Act” Now
The penny is officially on its way out and small retailers are running out of time to adapt.
In May 2025, at President Trump’s direction, the U.S. Treasury ended production of the penny with the last penny shipments to Federal Reserve coin distribution centers occurring in August 2025. With no fresh supply, the existing pool of pennies will dwindle, leaving cash-reliant businesses unable to make exact change. Retailers are increasingly concerned that this unavoidable shortfall could put them at odds with state consumer-protection laws and are urgently seeking clear federal guidance.
Without a federal fix to the penny shortage, states and localities with “exact change” laws could ban rounding entirely, forcing retailers into legal gray zones or costly compliance headaches. In an era of inflation and supply-chain volatility, small businesses cannot absorb another avoidable regulatory burden.
Bipartisan federal legislation now pending in Congress can address this problem, but only if it includes explicit federal preemption allowing retailers to round cash transactions to the nearest nickel. The Common Cents Act of 2025 (H.R. 3074 / S. 1525) - sponsored by Reps. McClain (R-MI) and Garcia (D-AZ) and Sens. Lummis (R-WY) and Gillibrand (D-NY) - aims to solve the penny shortage, yet the current draft does not include language protecting small businesses that simply cannot provide exact change.
We urge lawmakers to support small business retailers by making changes to the Common Cents Act to add clear federal preemption and rounding authority to the nearest nickel for cash transactions effective immediately or within 30-90 days of enactment, rather than one year. This straightforward update will ensure businesses can comply with the law, serve customers efficiently, and navigate an increasingly uncertain currency landscape.
Click here to write Congress!
Sprague Celebrates 25 Years of Pioneering Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel in NYC
A Sprague operator loads renewable diesel (RD) into his truck at
Sprague's Bronx, NY terminal in September 2025. Sprague became the first
in the region to supply RD in July 2023 and later supplied the first
retail stations east of the Rockies. Sprague plans to expand the supply
of this non-fossil fuel across its terminal footprint in the
Northeast.
Steven Levy, Managing Director at Sprague Energy, delivers remarks
during the April 2003 launch of Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) at the
Sunoco station in Newark. Pictured with Levy are former New Jersey
Governor Christine Todd Whitman, who served as Administrator of the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during the introduction of ULSD
(left), and Jane M. Kenny, former EPA Region 2 Administrator. Sprague
helped commercialize ULSD 10 years ahead of the federal mandate.
Click here for the article. For more information, please reach out to Kristyn Schweitzer, Director of Wholesale North, at 603-205-4351 or www.spraguenergy.com. Sprague Energy is EMA’s Bronze Partner.
Trump offshore plan tests oil execs' risk tolerance — and 2028 fault lines | Axios
Oil extends decline as US presses for Russia-Ukraine peace deal | Reuters
An Energy Future That Plays to America’s Strengths | Politico
Acting FEMA Administrator David Richardson resigns | ABC News
Refining America’s Energy Future | Politico
The oil pipeline feud testing Canada's global ambitions |BBC
Federated Insurance: Risk Management Corner
Don’t Let an Electrical Fire Shock Your Business
Every year, thousands of workplaces face the devastating impact of electrical fires. Did you know that there are an estimated 33,470 commercial electrical fires each year in the United States, killing nearly 45 people and costing around $1.36 billion in direct property damage?1
October is Fire Prevention Month, and your reminder to take action. Properly using electrical power strips and surge protectors can help reduce the chances of a fire.
Here are five simple tips that you can implement at your business today:
Limiting the number of devices plugged into extension cords and power strips
Removing items with lithium-ion batteries once they are charged and not charging them overnight
Disposing of old or damaged power strips and replacing them with new ones
Avoiding “daisy chaining” (i.e., plugging power strips into other power strips)
Making sure that electrical cords are routed safely away from doorways and not run under rugs or carpets
If your business gets shocked by an electrical fire, your employees, family, and community could feel the burn from your doors being closed. Small steps taken today could make a real difference tomorrow.
Reach out to your local Federated Insurance® marketing representative today for more risk management resources. Federated® clients can access mySHIELD® for additional industry-specific resources or 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®
This article is for general information and risk prevention only and should not be considered legal or other expert advice. The recommendations herein may help reduce, but are not guaranteed to eliminate, any or all risk of loss. Examples shown are for illustrative purposes only. The information herein may be subject to, and is not a substitute for, any laws or regulations that may apply. Qualified counsel should be sought with questions specific to your circumstances. ©2025 Federated Mutual Insurance Company.
EMA Member Services Spotlight Featuring: Member Benefits
Available Through NPP
(National Purchasing Partners)
Members of the Energy Marketers of America can access business,
employee, and personal discounts through National Purchasing Partners
(NPP). NPP is a member benefit provider of EMA and helps members reduce
costs with exclusive pricing.
Members can save on many useful brands, including Airgas, Batteries
Plus+, Cintas, Hertz, ODP Solutions, Sherwin Williams, Staples,
Unifirst, and, if eligible, Verizon Wireless.
Sign up here. Once you
sign up with NPP, you will receive a verification email. When your
account is verified, just log in and explore the catalog of
offers.
NPP membership is free and there is no obligation to buy. If you need
help registering, please contact or call
800.810.3909.
Restrictions may apply.