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This action is precipitated by EPA's anticipated two-stage approach to
approve E15 this fall. EPA indicated in July that the agency is likely to
grant a partial waiver for E15 blends for model year 2007 and newer vehicles
in September 2010 and another in late November for 2001 - 2006 models
after the Department of Energy completes all of its testing.
The legislation is supported by both the ethanol industry and those in
the business of bringing fuel to American drivers. Support for the measure
has been expressed in a letter signed by PMAA, NACS, SIGMA, NATSO and the
Renewable Fuels Association (RFA).
ONLY TEN DAYS REMAIN FOR PEI CONVENTION EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS
Friday, August 13 is your lucky day! PEI members who register for the 2010
PEI Convention by August 13 can save up to $200 (nonmembers can save up to
$100). Group registration discounts of up to 40 percent (five or more
attendees) also expire August 13. This year's convention (October 5-8 in
Atlanta) celebrates the 60th anniversary of PEI and includes a rich array of
speakers; more than 500 exhibit booths featuring the latest technology,
products and services; and exceptional networking opportunities.
PEI's
headquarters hotel for the October 5-8 event is the beautiful Hyatt
Regency-Atlanta. Additional room blocks are available at the Westin.
Reserve your room and choose the registration option that fits your
needs, schedule and budget; just remember to do it by Friday, August 13, to
receive these big discounts. For more information or to register, click
here.
EPA PROPOSES TO EXTEND SPCC RULE ONCE AGAIN
The U.S. EPA issued a proposed rule July 28 that would extend the
current November 10, 2010, compliance deadline for SPCC plan revision and
implementation for one year―until November 10, 2011. If
the deadline is moved back to 2011, it will mark the seventh time that the
SPCC rule has been extended since August 16, 2002, the original compliance
deadline set by EPA.
2010 DISTRIBUTOR PROFITABILITY SURVEY DEADLINE EXTENDED
If you are a distributor member who is looking for tools to manage
growth and increase profitability, you are encouraged to participate in the PEI
Distributor Profitability Survey that is currently underway. Participants in
the survey will receive a online Profit Toolkit that will assist you in your
planning. This is available only to distributors who participate in the
survey.
The original deadline of August 1 has come and gone. With only 55 members
participating through that date, we have extended the deadline until August
30. The Profit Planning Group―the company
that crunches the numbers for PEI and writes the report―tells
us that our industry needs at least 90 participants to make the results
statistically valid. The information will continue to be made available
to PEI distributors only if members participate. The Distributor
Profitability Report, which is also provided free of charge to participating PEI members,
has been the best benchmarking source in our industry for nearly three
decades. The survey is available for download from our website or
obtained by emailing
cbouldin@pei.org.
DODD-FRANK BILL SIGNED INTO LAW
President Obama signed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform bill into law
last week. Under the law, retailers may now offer customers discounts on the
form of payment such as cash, check, credit card and debit card. In
addition, the legislation directs the Federal Reserve to issue rules by
April 2011 to ensure that debit card interchange fees―swipe
fees―are reasonable and proportional to the processing costs incurred.
ETHANOL NOTES
A Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report has found that the 45˘/gallon
excise tax credit―known as the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC)―
that has been used for years to support the ethanol industry no longer works
as intended to increase production. Congressional mandates passed in 2005
and 2007 now determine the levels of future ethanol production through a
renewable fuels standard.
EPA has outlined its proposed 2011 renewable fuels standard (RFS2)
requirements to include 800 million gallons of biomass-based diesel,
1.35 billion gallons of advanced biofuel, 13.95 billion gallons of renewable
fuel, and somewhere between 5 and 17.1 million gallons of cellulosic biofuel.
The cellulosic biofuel projections are far less than the 250 million gallons
Congress mandated.
BP's North American biofuels subsidiary will spend $98.3
million to take full control of its joint venture with Verenium by acquiring
Verenium's 50% stake in cellulosic biofuels and cellulosic enzyme
technologies as well as its Jennings, Louisiana, and San Diego, California,
facilities.
REGULATORY BRIEFS
IRS. Payments to owners or operators of underground tanks from state financial assurance funds or other state UST
reimbursement programs are included in gross income under IRC Section 61(a),
the Internal Revenue Service said in a memorandum (LMSB-4-0710-020) posted
on its website July 14.
New York. A new law signed by Gov. David Patterson (D-NY) mandates the
use of 15 ppm ultra-low sulfur heating oil effective July 1, 2012.
BRIEFLY NOTED
Les Gray & Company, Inc., Garland, Texas, is celebrating its 35th
anniversary this year. Les Gray is president of the company.
Anabi Oil Corp., Upland, California, has acquired Shell Oil Co.'s
interests in 88 Shell-branded retail locations in California. This includes
15 leased locations and the right to supply 52 Shell-branded retail
locations owned by independent open dealers.
STUDY: ETHANOL PIPELINE FEASIBLE WITH GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES
A dedicated ethanol pipeline from the Midwest to the East Coast may
require financial incentives from the federal government, according to a
Department of Energy study released July 19. The study found that increasing
demand for ethanol to 4.1 billion gallons per year by allowing use of blends
containing greater than 10 percent ethanol (or expanding the use of E85)
would make the pipeline economically feasible without major financial
incentives. "A pipeline delivering this volume will be able to charge a
competitive market rate and still provide sufficient investor return," the
study said.
RETIREMENTS
Coles Marsh retired from Jones & Frank in May. A 37-year veteran of the
petroleum equipment industry, he will continue to provide sales support to
the Jones & Frank team until May 2011. Coles has served on the PEI Board of
Directors, several association committees, and as PEI president in 1998. He
plans to work as a sales agent for Transaction Financial Services, an
independent sales organization specializing in business-to-business and
business-to-government processing. He can be reached at One Texas Avenue,
Milton, Delaware 19968-9511. Cell: 410-370-2153.
marsheme@comcast.net.
CORRECTION/AMPLIFICATION
An article on page 17 in the printed edition of the 3rd Quarter issue of
the PEI Journal mentions Congress' recent extension of a key
biodiesel tax credit. In fact, while both the United States Senate and the
House of Representatives have approved the extension, they did so in
separate pieces of legislation, neither of which has been approved by the
other body. As a result, the credit, for now, has not been officially
reinstated. For a more clear description of the current status, view the
online version of the article at
www.peijournal.org.
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS
Costa Rica distributor. Empress Equipsa Tica, S.A., Tibas, del cruce de
Colima, 400 mts Oeste, San Jose, Costa Rica, has applied for distributor
division membership. Roycers Domingo Urbina Cerna is operations
manager for the firm, which was established in 2003. The company represents
Catlow, Cim-Tek, Davis, Gilbarco, Goodyear, HoseMaster, IRPCOinc,
Natl-Spencr, OPW-FC, RedJacket, Tronitec and Zeppini. The firm also
maintains equipment for service stations in Central America. Sponsored for
PEI membership by Eva Chambers, VeederR, Simsbury, CT.
Facia and sign provider. Neon Nieto S.A., P. O. Box 3499-1000, San Jose,
Costa Rica 1000, has applied for service and construction division
membership. Arnoldo Nieto is vice president and general manager for the firm,
which was established in 1937. Neon Nieto is a sign company that specializes
in corporate identity for firms operating in Central America, Panama and the
Caribbean. Sponsored for PEI membership by David Cescon, NovycElec, Dorval,
PQ. www.neonnieto.com
Cleaning and maintenance product manufacturer. Shore Corporation, 2917
Spruce Way, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15201, has applied for affiliate
division membership. Debra Ignacz is account manager for the firm, which was
established in 1982. The company manufactures cleaning and maintenance
products for convenience stores, service stations and car washes. Sponsored
for PEI membership by John Radu, Riverside, Vienna, OH.
www.shorecorporation.com
Fuel dispensing equipment repair company. P&L Gas Dispensers, LLC,
2210 Pech Road, B1, Houston, Texas 77055, has applied for service and
construction division membership. Pedro Navarro is manager of the firm,
which was established in 2003. The company sells, installs and repairs fuel
dispensing equipment. Sponsored for PEI membership by Doc Boheme, BottomLine,
Osakis, MN.
ADMITTED TO PEI
- Kurt Karlson, Whatcom Transit Authority, Bellingham, WA (O&E)
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