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Dear PEI Member:
It looks as though 45 states will opt to require secondary containment to
comply with the provisions of the Energy Act of 2005. Two states, Missouri
and Kansas, are firmly committed to the option that requires financial
responsibility for manufacturers and installers. Two states, North Dakota
and South Dakota, have yet to make up their minds. And Louisiana seems to be
leaning toward a hybrid option that would require financial responsibility
for a few years and then move into secondary containment.
States receiving funding under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
(RCRA) were required by federal law to implement one of those two options by
February 8. In a perfect world, tank owners in those 45 states would know by
now when they will be required to install secondary containment systems. But
things don't always happen when they should, especially if you are dealing
with government programs. The federal EPA recognizes this and has stated it
will be lenient with states that do not meet the deadline. So as the states
get prepared to issue their rules, we will be left with a hodgepodge of
deadlines that tank owners, manufacturers and installers will have to meet.
The challenge of understanding those deadlines is greater for businesses
that market in multiple states. For the states that will require secondary
containment, the question simply is this: When will secondary containment be
required and what will we have to do to comply?
Beginning today, we have asked each state to provide us answers to that
question. They recognize that tank installations are being planned for 2007
and that owners, manufacturers, distributors and installers need to
know--sooner rather than later--what is required of them. The answers the
states provide can be viewed at
www.pei.org/energyact. Don't expect all states to reply in a timely
manner. Some do a better job communicating than others. Some may elect not
to respond at all. If you know an UST program manager that works for a state
that has not posted a response to our survey, please provide a gentle prod.
PEI members and their customers want to do things right, but need the
information to make an informed decision.
PEI SERVICE RATES SURVEY
If your company provides or offers service contracting to your end-user
customers, we encourage you to complete the online annual Service Rates
Survey by
clicking here. Your participation allows us to compile accurate
and representative data. The survey is available through March 1, at which
time we will compile the results. Responses are handled in strict
confidence.
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PEI Surveys State UST Agencies
Service Rate Survey
2007 Directory
House Passes Biofuels Measure
Alternative Fuels
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2007 PEI DIRECTORY IN THE MAIL
The 2007 edition of the Petroleum Equipment Directory was shipped to all
PEI members on Monday, February 12. Transit times vary but most of you
should receive it within the next two weeks. Additional copies can be
ordered online at www.pei.org/shopping (credit cards accepted online or
download the form to pay by check or wire transfer).
The compact disk is being mailed separately this year due to several reports
of damage in transit last year. CDs should arrive a few days after the book
and we apologize for any inconvenience this might cause.
As you review the new Directory we ask you to take a few minutes and respond
to our online survey. We'd like to know how your company uses the various
formats (online, print, CD) and how we can improve it in the future. The
survey is open to anyone who uses the Directory and usually takes about ten
minutes to complete.
Start the Survey
HOUSE PASSES BILL TO FACILITATE BIOFUELS AT RETAIL STATIONS
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill that provides $10
million for research and development to help retool the petroleum-dominated
motor fuels infrastructure to handle biofuels. The House passed legislation
earlier this month (400-3) that helps save fuel distributors and retailers
from bearing the cost of replacing or building new infrastructure. While the
Senate does not have a companion bill at this time, congressional aides say
prospects for the bill's enactment is good.
Modifying retail stations to dispense biofuels could cost between $30,000
and $200,000 per station. Changing infrastructure nationwide could cost $5
billion to $30 billion.
ALTERNATIVE FUELS
GM is now offering B20 biodiesel capability on a limited number of
light- and medium-duty trucks. General Motors alternative fuels marketing
manager Mike McGarry said that GM is working to expand B20 capability in
2008.
New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark announced February 13 that an
increasing proportion of cleaner-burning biofuels must be sold to cut
greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy security. Judith Tizard,
Associate Minister of Transport, said the sales obligation, starting in
April 2008, would require 3.4 percent of the total fuel sold by oil
companies to be biofuel by 2012. The obligation will be reached by the sale
of varying mixes of biofuel gasoline and diesel.
APPOINTMENTS AND PROMOTIONS
Tanknology Inc., Austin, Texas, has promoted several executives to key
management positions. Kevin Keegan has been named chief operating officer.
Keegan will oversee four new regional divisions within the US, which will be
directed by these newly-named regional vice presidents: Mark Shaw (western
division), C. J. Schultz, (eastern division), Brian Derge (southern
division), and Todd Ferguson (northern division). Bill Callaway has been
promoted to the newly-created position of vice president of quality
assurance and technical development.
Husky Corporation, Pacific, Missouri, has appointed Doug Adams
Sales Associates/JimCo Sales to represent the company in Texas and
Oklahoma. MCD Reps will represent Husky in northern California,
northern Nevada, northern Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Hawaii. Mike
Ellrich has been appointed Husky's central region sales representative. In
addition to his new responsibilities, Ellrich will continue managing
customer service and marketing activities for the company. Grenny Sutcliffe
has been named Husky's western region sales manager. Sutcliffe will also
facilitate regulatory interaction with CARB.
Butler Capital Corporation, Hunt Valley, Maryland, has hired Carol
Hurley as head of the company's car care and convenience-and-gasoline
financing units.
Balcrank Products Inc., Weaverville, North Carolina, has appointed
Automotive Equipment Sales, Maumelle, Arkansas, to represent the company in
Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississipppi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina
and South Carolina.
Mark VII Equipment Inc., the US subsidiary of WashTec AG of Germany,
has announced three changes within its senior management team. Sandy Bass
has been named vice president of sales, Craig Campbell becomes vice
president of strategic business and product development, and Ed Stellner is
now vice president of service.
Multiforce Systems Corporation, Princeton, New Jersey, a nationwide
provider of FuelForce fuel management systems, has hired Joe Cote as a
technical support field engineer.
ACQUISITIONS AND BRANCH OPENINGS
National-Spencer, Inc., Wichita, Kansas, has acquired MTN Pump Products,
Inc., a California-based importer and distributor. Under the terms of the
agreement, National-Spencer will be responsible for the sales and support of
MTN's product line of specialty hand pumps. The pumps are primarily used to
dispense chemicals and other specialty fluids in the industrial,
agri-business, automotive and chemical industries.
Jones & Frank Corporation, headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, has
opened a new branch office in Greenville, South Carolina. The address is
Jones & Frank - Greenville, 24 Vardry Street, Suite 101-F, Greenville, SC
29601. Telephone: (800) 275-1656. This is the company's seventh branch
office.
BRIEFLY NOTED
The Iowa Attorney General has filed suit against Bulk Petroleum Corp.
alleging environmental violations at 17 retail gasoline stations in nine
cities in Iowa. The suit alleges that Bulk "repeatedly has failed to comply
with requirements to prevent corrosion of steel UST systems, failed to
prevent and detect releases, failed to report and investigate releases, and
failed to maintain UST compliance records."
The City of Detroit has extended its moratorium on the building of
new gasoline stations in the city until September 2008. The moratorium was
originally put into effect in 2004 in an effort to stop business owners from
abandoning old gas stations. The moratorium does not prevent business owners
from opening gas stations on the sites of closed or abandoned stations.
PETROLEUM MARKETING NOTES
Delek US Holdings Inc. said its MAPCO Express Inc. subsidiary has
signed an agreement to purchase 107 retail convenience stores from Calfee
Co. of Dalton Inc. for approximately $65 million. The stores are located
primarily in eastern Tennessee and northern Georgia and operate under the
name Favorite Markets. Fuel is sold at 104 of the 107 stores.
ConocoPhillips will transition out of branded gasoline and diesel
sales throughout Minnesota, North Carolina, and South Carolina and in
certain parts of Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Arizona and Nevada.
This transition will reduce the number of Phillips 66, Conoco and 76 branded
locations by about 850.
Walker Oil Company, Pleasant Grove, Utah, has sold their 23
convenience stores and other assets to Tetco, based in San Antonio,
Texas.
CATHODIC PROTECTION TESTERS COURSE
The Society of Tank & Equipment Professionals (STEP) and the
Georgia Tank & Environmental Contractors Association (GTEC) are sponsoring a
Cathodic Protection Testers Course in Atlanta, Georgia, March 26-28, 2007.
This three-day course is given by a NACE certified corrosion/cathodic
protection specialist and includes hands-on instruction, as well as a
written exam and a field evaluation on both an impressed current system and
an STI-P3 UST system. This course is in its tenth year and is accepted by
many states for qualification of testers. PEI members receive a discount.
Go to www.STEPonline.org and click
on Training and Education or fax (888) 521-6803 for a registration form and
flyer.
DEATHS
William "Bill" D. Biermann, owner/president of Biermann Services Inc. of
Chicopee, Massachusetts, died January 31. He was 60. Bill spent 35 years in
our industry, founding Biermann Electrical in 1972. His company grew from
two employees to over two dozen today. Bill was a U.S. Army veteran, serving
in the Vietnam Conflict where he received the Purple Heart Medal. He was
also very active in the Boy Scouts of America. Survivors include his wife of
37 years, Anna Biermann; two children, Derrick and Kathryn; and two
grandchildren.
Charles Dempsey Kemp, who served 53 years as owner and president of
White-Tucker Company, Houston, Texas, died February 1 at the age of 79. He
had struggled with Alzheimers for many years. Charles was elected to the PEI
board of directors three times and served as PEI President in 1972. He was
very involved with PEI over the years and was extremely supportive of the
association and its staff. Survivors include his daughter, Katie Kemp and
his daughter and son in law, Lydia and Mark Cowie, and two grandchildren.
Lydia and Mark are currently president and vice president, respectively, of
White-Tucker.
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS
California tank inspection and cleaning contractor. Optic Fuel Clean of
CA, 91 Grinding Rock Road, Paradise, California 95969, has applied for
affiliate division membership in PEI. Mark A. Behrens is president of the
firm, which was established in 2005. The company provides fuel cleaning for
underground and aboveground storage tanks. Nominated for PEI membership by
Shelly Sundeng, OpticFuel, Fargo, ND.
Singapore contractor. Daiya Engineering & Construction Pte Ltd., No. 22
Defu Lane, Singapore 539375, has applied for affiliate division membership.
Katherine Chua is project engineer for the firm, which was established in
1987. The company builds service stations and installs tanks and piping in
Singapore. Nominated for PEI membership by Chris Ng, SDSolutions, Singapore.
Admitted
to PEI
- Comprehensive Compliance Management, Inc., Granby, MA (aff)
- Lakeland Graphics, Inc., Brooklyn Center, MN (aff)
- Wellert Corporation, Medina, OH (aff)
- SERVNORTHWEST Sales, Seattle, WA (aff)
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