|
Dear PEI Member: Early bird
registration for the
2018 PEI Convention at the NACS Show (Oct. 7-10 in Las Vegas) closes
Monday, June 25. The early bird pricing saves $150 per attendee. Here’s a
quick summary of some of the key sessions, events and opportunities at this
year’s big show. Details, times and locations for all can be found on the
PEI website.
Kick-Off Breakfast: Global Intelligence
Briefing for PEI Members
Herb Meyer, special assistant to the director of the CIA and vice chair of
the CIA’s National Intelligence Council during the Reagan administration, is
widely regarded as the first U.S. government official to predict the fall of
the Soviet Union. In recognition of his contributions to the country, Herb
was awarded the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, the
intelligence community’s highest honor.
In his entertaining and optimistic
kick-off presentation ($30 registration fee), Herb will outline the
fundamental national security, economic and cultural realities in today’s
world and answer such questions as:
- Why, despite all of today’s troubles and turbulence,
is our future safer and more prosperous than the doom-and-gloomers
predict?
- What lies behind the astounding—and
under-reported—growth of the world’s economy, a development that is
bringing up to 100 million people out of poverty each year and creating a
global middle class?
- How can U.S. companies reach a worldwide customer base
that is growing at an astounding rate?
- What will the rapid industrialization of China and
India mean for the West?
Bend in
the Road: An Economic Forecast
Back by popular demand, Brian Beaulieu, CEO of
ITR Economics and chief economist for Vistage International, will present
his 2018 economic update. This year’s presentation will include predictions
for the next 12 months and strategies for confidently managing a business with
the future in mind. |
PEI Convention Program
Mixed Signals on E15
California Webinar on Single-Walled Tank Closures
Comments on RP1700 Close June 15
Deductibility of Meals and Entertainment Expenses
Respond to this Newsletter
by
e-mail to the editor, Rick Long at rlong@pei.org
or
join the discussion in the
Petroleum Equipment Forum
 |
|
Creating
and Maintaining a Culture of Safety
This sure-to-be-popular discussion will show how to make safety not just
something you do but a part of who you are. Art Sodermark of Platinum
Engineering & Safety Inc. will lead a panel that includes Blake Hess of The
Oscar W. Larson Co. and Stacy Irons of United Rentals Trench Safety.
EPA
Regulatory Update
Many requirements in the 2015 federal underground storage tank (UST)
regulations take effect Oct. 13—three days after the end of this year’s
convention. Representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) Office of Underground Storage Tanks (OUST) will answer your questions
on State Program Approval (SPA), spill prevention testing, overfill
prevention inspections, containment sump testing, release detection and
walkthrough inspections.
The
Future of Distribution
In his first appearance at a PEI Convention, Ian
Heller, president and COO of Modern Distribution Management (MDM), will
share analysis and predictions for what lies ahead in the world of
distribution—and what those developments mean for the petroleum equipment
industry. Since 1967, MDM has been a trusted resource for market
intelligence and insight across a wide range of wholesale distribution
industries.
Other
Sessions and Events
The 2018 Convention education program also will include sessions on fuel
quality and corrosion, electric vehicles, tax
reform and leadership. Attendees also can join in PEI 1-on-1 roundtable
discussions on regulatory matters, UL standards, government purchasing
programs and more.
In addition,
all PEI members are encouraged to attend the complimentary PEI Membership
Breakfast & Meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 9. PEI President Robert Peavey will
address the group, and PEI Executive Vice President Rick Long will present
his annual State of the Industry address. Members also will elect 2019
officers and install new directors.
Special
Latin American Programming
Given the enthusiastic response to last year’s first-ever Latin American
sessions, PEI is expanding our 2018 Latin American programming with sessions
conducted in Spanish on vapor recovery, containment sumps and other topics. Latin American attendees also are invited to enjoy a special
networking event and simultaneous translation of the Annual
Membership Meeting and Kick-Off Breakfast.
Networking and Fun
Networking opportunities laced throughout the PEI Convention include special
events for PEI 10-Groups, PEI Women and PEI Young Executives. The PEI
Industry Reception and After-Hours Lounge also will provide terrific
opportunities to connect with new and old industry friends.
MIXED SIGNALS ON E15
Last week, President Trump announced an
indefinite delay of a proposal that would have combined changes to the
Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) with a nationwide authorization of summertime
sales of gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol. (See May 11, 2018 TL.)
Under current law, sales of E15 are restricted in most of the country from
June 1 to Sept. 15.
However,
after EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt’s tour of corn-growing states this
week, E15’s future looks a little brighter. According to an EPA
spokesperson, “The Administrator shared that he believes statutory authority
to grant the ... waiver for E15 exists under the Clean Air Act, and to be
effective, would require a subsequent notice and comment rulemaking
process.”
Given the
time required to conduct a formal rulemaking, nationwide year-round sales of
E15 do not appear possible until 2019, at the earliest.
CALIFORNIA SCHEDULES SINGLE-WALLED UST CLOSURE WEBINAR
The California Water Resources Control Board will
host a
webinar on the closure of single-walled USTs Thursday, June 28, at 1
p.m. PDT. California law requires permanent closure of all such systems by
Dec. 31, 2025. The webinar also will provide information on grants and loans
to assist with closure costs. Preregistration is not required; however,
capacity for the webinar is limited. For more information, contact Tom
Henderson at tom.henderson@waterboards.ca.gov or 916-319-9128.
COMMENT PERIOD ON RP1700 ENDS TOMORROW
The 60-day comment period on the draft of PEI/RP1700: Recommended
Practices for the Closure of Underground Storage Tanks and Shop-Fabricated
Aboveground Storage Tanks, closes tomorrow, June 15. This new document
is designed to promote safe and environmentally friendly practices and
procedures for the decommissioning, removal, closure in place, storage,
transportation and off-site disposal of USTs and ASTs that have contained
petroleum products. Download the draft and submit comments at
www.pei.org/RP1700. All comments must be submitted online.
DEDUCTIBILITY OF MEALS AND ENTERTAINMENT EXPENSES
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act signed into law by
President Trump last December revised the rules governing the deductibility
of business meals and entertainment expenses. On June 1, the Small Business
Legislative Council (SBLC) released a two-page summary of the changes.
Because PEI is a member of the SBLC, the downloadable
“Guide to the Deductibility of Expenses for Meals and Entertaining Under the
New Tax Law” is free to PEI members.
PEI
MEMBER NEWS
Bridgestone HosePower acquired Industrial Rubber
Co., a hydraulic and industrial hose sales and service company based in
Elizabeth, New Jersey. Industrial Rubber’s 17 employees will be offered
positions with HosePower.
Dover
Fueling Solutions (DFS) opened a software
engineering facility in Krakow, Poland.
The facility will focus on software for the next generation of DFS fueling
and convenience solutions, including automatic tank gauges, payment systems,
remote diagnostics, cloud data services and global wetstock management.
Steve Belt, vice president of global engineering for DFS, will lead the
Krakow team.
Gilbarco
Veeder-Root signed a definitive agreement to
acquire the assets of Midco Ltd. Headquartered in Mumbai, India,
Midco designs and manufactures fuel dispensers and related fueling
equipment. Closing is expected in approximately three months.
Mascott
Equipment Co. named Chuck Softich
corporate sales director. Softich, a 35-year industry veteran, will oversee
the company’s sales efforts in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and the
Pacific Rim. Mike Raymond, Mascott’s former sales director, will
assume responsibility for key accounts and special projects.
Seneca
Cos. Waste Solutions Services hired Eric James
as an outside sales representative for its southern region. James has more
than 20 years of business ownership and professional sales experience across
multiple industries.
BRIEFLY
NOTED
“The California Independent Oil Marketers Association today alerted
members that a skimming device has been discovered at a cardlock station.
While the West Coast—particularly California—has seen skimming crime at gas
stations, CIOMA told members that this is the first incident it is aware of
in which a skimmer was installed at an unmanned, automated fuel station for
fleets.”—Oil Express News Alert, June 4, 2018
“Currently China is seeing the most growth in electric vehicle adoption,
accounting for half of the electric cars sold in 2017, while the U.S. saw
the second largest number of electric cars sold. However, in terms of market
share, Norway is the leader: 39% of new vehicles sold were electric.”—World
Economic Forum, June 4, 2018
“According to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP),
Washington, D.C., 27 states have increased or reformulated their gas-tax
rates since 2013.”—CSP Daily News, June 8, 2018
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS
Indiana Manufacturer. Prevent-A-Spill, P. O. Box
206, Huntington, IN 46750, has applied for manufacturer division membership.
David MacDonald is president of the company, which was established in 1998.
Prevent A Spill manufactures spill containment systems, which are sold
through distributors. Sponsored for PEI membership by Andy Mercer, R.W.
Mercer, Jackson, Michigan.
www.prevent-a-spill.com
Fuel
Quality Standards Organization. Top Tier-Center
for Quality Assurance, 4800 James Savage Road, Midland, MI 48642, has
applied for affiliate division membership. Jo Lynne Parsons is OEM industry
liaison for the firm, which was established in 2005. The Center for Quality
Assurance administers the TOP TIER™ fuels programs for sponsoring
automakers and heavy-duty equipment manufacturers. Sponsored for PEI
membership by Wayne Geyer, Steel Tank Institute, Lake Zurich, Illinois.
www.toptiergas.com
New
Zealand Construction Company. Fuel Installations
Auckland Ltd., 12 Waikaukau Road, Glen Eden, Auckland, North Island, 0641,
New Zealand, has applied for service and construction division membership.
Bryce Bacon is director for the firm, which was established in 1983. Fuel
Installations Auckland Ltd. installs UST systems, constructs service
stations and provides environmental remediation services. Sponsored for PEI
membership by Christopher Davis, Petroleum Equipment Services LP, Auckland,
New Zealand.
www.fuelinstallations.co.nz
ADMITTED
TO PEI
- Integrated Petroleum Equipment Co., Plainview, New
York (dist)
|
