August 5, 2015 | Vol. 65, No. 15

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Dear PEI Member:

It has been nearly 18 months since fire completely destroyed PEI’s headquarters office. We rebuilt our new office on the same foundation and are slated to begin moving from our temporary quarters across the street into our new building August 17. We have also planned an open house to celebrate the move. You are cordially invited to join us August 25 (3 p.m. to 7 p.m.) at our former—and soon to be new—address at 6514 E. 69th Street in Tulsa.

We don’t expect many out-of-town members to make the trek to Tulsa to see the new place. But we didn’t want to have a party and not invite you in case you will be in the area and would like to stop by. Please click here to RSVP.

We have a lot for which to be thankful as we get ready to move back home. First and foremost, nobody was in the building when it burned; the 42 firefighters on-site that evening eventually extinguished the blaze without injury; and the contractors managed to put up the new building without mishap. Second, the building is completely paid for without a dues increase, a diminution in services and/or a special assessment. PEI was fortunate to have had a combination of adequate insurance and a substantial reserve account funded over the years by PEI boards comprised of members with great foresight. And third, PEI staff has had the support of you, our members, every step of the way during the last 18 months.

The new building is comfortable, inviting and designed for collaboration. It also is owned by the association’s members. You are welcome to use the building for hosting small meetings (up to 14 people) in Tulsa. And even if you cannot attend the open house, please stop by if you ever are in the area—we’d like to show it off.

PEI Open House

NCWM Annual Meeting

PEI Convention Deadlines

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WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ISSUES
The National Conference on Weights and Measures met late last month to consider a number of issues, including two oft-debated issues important to PEI members and their customers.

The first proposal involved establishing a gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE) method of sale for liquefied natural gas (LNG), along with a diesel gallon equivalent (DGE) method of sale for compressed natural gas (CNG) and LNG. The proposal did not pass and may be considered again next year.

The other significant issue of interest to PEI members concerned an amendment to the diesel filter rule that would have required 10-micron filters instead of 30-micron filters used on diesel dispensers. A motion to amend the language and require 10-micron filters did not prevail. The issue may resurface in 2016.

2015 PEI CONVENTION UPDATES AND DEADLINES
The 2015 PEI Convention, October 11-14, 2015, in Las Vegas, promises to be one of our best ever. Just added to an already impressive speaker lineup: Carolyn Hoskinson, Director of the U.S. EPA Office of Underground Storage Tanks (OUST) program, who will discuss the latest on the new federal tank regulations on Monday, October 12. For a complete list of speakers, click here.

If you have not yet registered, do so now to take advantage of money-saving advance registration rates.

The deadline for attendees to reserve convention housing in the room blocks at PEI hotels is Friday, August 14. Reserve your room now.

Find Red volunteers greet and assist attendees in finding their way around the Las Vegas convention Center. It’s a great way for you and your company to be seen. All Find Red volunteers also will receive a special limited edition travel mug. Sign up Friday, August 7, to be listed in the official PEI Convention program. To learn more and sign up, click here.

IN THE COURTS
Nicholas Petroleum, Inc. learned of a possible leak in 2006, when the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) asked the company to inspect its underground gasoline tanks (USTs) after reports of subsurface contamination. The company conducted the initial environmental investigation—but not the subsurface assessment TCEQ requested—and it ignored further inquiries by the agency until 2008, when a TCEQ inspector located a leak in an unleaded gasoline line. At the agency’s direction, Nicholas then hired a licensed contractor to investigate the release, and well water samples confirmed the contamination. TCEQ formally advised Nicholas on February 5, 2009, that it was a potential responsible party (PRP). Nicholas filed a claim with its insurance company, Mid-Continent Casualty. Co., Inc., on April 10, 2009, and the insurer denied it. Mid-Continent cited a provision in its policy stating that the insured had 30 days after receipt of the claim from TCEQ for filing a written claim with Mid-Continent, and that Nicholas had failed to do so. A Texas appeals court held that contracts must be enforced as written, and the notice requirement in the policy trumped the fact that Mid-Continent admittedly suffered no prejudice by the late filing.
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency negotiated a $1.35 million agreement to resolve alleged UST violations at four facilities, the California State Water Resources Board said July 27. Specific allegations accused the transportation agency of failing to ensure monthly inspections and testing of various equipment; recordkeeping failures; failure to adequately maintain spill containment systems and equip USTs with overfill protection; and making false statements to authorities. The settlement requires the agency to pay $425,000 in penalties and $100,000 for reimbursement of enforcement costs. State officials agreed to suspend $850,000 in penalties and other payments if, over the next five years, the agency completes several enhanced compliance projects and remains in compliance with the laws and terms of the final consent judgment.

BRIEFLY NOTED
The Jones Covey Group, Rancho Cucamonga, California, has appointed Greg Smith director of compliance for the company. Smith previously held management positions with The Hertz Corporation and Whitemarsh Corporation. Email: gsmith@jones covey.com. Phone: 909-972-7581.
Total Petroleum operates 210 gas stations in Puerto Rico, although 40 are currently closed for “competitive reasons.” Total’s general manager Philippe Jaurrey expects to reopen a portion of the closed stations in the near future. From 2016 to 2019, Total plans to renovate all operating gas stations by adopting the company’s new global design standards.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS
California import firm. Easyflex, 1371 Santa Fe Drive, Tustin, California 92780, has applied for affiliate division membership. Sunmin Oh is executive director of the firm, which was established in 2005. The company imports plumbing-related products for distribution. Sponsored for PEI membership by Brad F. Baker, HuskyCorp, Pacific, MO.
German trade association. UNITI-Kraftstoff GmbH, Jaegerstrasse 6, Berlin, Germany 10117, has applied for affiliate division membership. Elmar Ingo Kuehn is managing director of the firm, which was established in 1939. UNITI is a federal association of medium-sized fuel retailers and the organizer of the UNITI trade fair in Europe. Sponsored for PEI membership by Bruno Boroewitsch, PetrlPlaza, Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany. www.uniti.de
Thailand fuel dispenser and parts producer. Go Beyond Co., Ltd., 95/513 Boromarajajonani Road, Bangkok-Noi, Bangkok, Thailand 10700, has applied for affiliate division membership. Nattawat Supasrisun is general manager of the firm, which was established in 2010. The company produces fuel dispensers and distributes spare parts for fuel dispensers. Sponsored for PEI membership by Min Jiang, BlueSky, Wenzhou, China.

ADMITTED TO PEI

Caliber Professional Sales Services, Sherman, TX (aff)
LIMPSE, Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico (S&C)

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The TulsaLetter (ISSN 0193-9467) is published two or three times each month by the Petroleum Equipment Institute. Robert N. Renkes, Executive Vice President, Editor. Opinions expressed are the opinions of the Editor. Basic circulation confined to PEI members.