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From the Desk of the EVP

Dec. 11 Tornado Outbreak
Several of our members were impacted by the deadly tornado outbreak earlier this month. Our thoughts are with them as they clean up and rebuild. We also have members who have generously donated equipment and services to help the recovery efforts. Thank you.

Thinking About PEI Convention 2022
It seems like we just left Chicago, but we are already thinking about PEI in Las Vegas in 2022. Our first focus? Keynote speakers. We’ve been evaluating our options and will be looking to draw some names you’ve heard of before. We want our members to feel energized and entertained as well as educated. Stay tuned as we launch some announcements in Q1 of 2022.

We Need to Collaborate
I hope to see some PEI members at our Managers Conference March 9-11, 2022, in San Antonio. We redesigned this conference to include leadership components as well as additional breakouts that will run on tracks so that attendees can choose topics that best suit their day-to-day roles. Also, we will be launching several new PEI conferences to focus on other key areas of interest to PEI members. You will see those announcements here in TulsaLetter.

My First Distributor Visit
I recently completed my first PEI member distributor visit. I want to thank James D. Ether, our current PEI treasurer and general manager for R.M. Dalrymple Co. Inc. in Saratoga Springs, New York. I appreciate Jim showing me the basics and allowing me to apply some of my learnings from the PEI Recommended Practices. By the way, I am still looking for places to visit this spring and summer. Email me at jblake@pei.org if you would like me to visit your organization.

I wish you and your family a healthy and prosperous holiday, and I look forward to meeting many of you in 2022!

Jason Blake
PEI Executive Vice President
jblake@pei.org

From the Desk of the EVP

UST Cleanup Data

Diesel Fuel Sampling Study

PEI Managers Conference

EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy

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EPA UST CLEANUP DATA
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released its semiannual report of underground storage performance measures for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2021. EPA reported 4,991 confirmed underground storage tank (UST) releases between October 2020 and September 2021 and 7,271 cleanups during that same time. Since the inception of the UST program in 1984, EPA and its partners have cleaned up 502,786 UST releases, according to EPA. About 61,981 UST releases remain to be cleaned up in the United States. The report can be accessed here.

FUELS INSTITUTE DIESEL FUEL SAMPLING STUDY
The Fuels Institute’s Diesel Fuel Quality Council released the final report on the Diesel Fuel Sampling Study. PEI is an advisory member of the council. The study collected diesel fuel samples from 190 nozzles and 134 storage tanks at 119 retail and 15 non-retail fueling facilities throughout the U.S.

The test results and statistical analyses were evaluated to determine:

• Sample results relative to applicable standards or other selected comparable benchmarks
• Potential variability in fuel properties between retail and non-retail fueling facilities
• Existence of correlation between any set of variables
• Influence of site-level characteristics (i.e., throughput, filter type, maintenance programs, etc.) on fuel properties
• Potential regional variability in fuel properties

The report summarizes the findings of these tests in comparison to selected comparable benchmarks and evaluates the existence of any correlation between the variables. The report is available for download here.

PEI MANAGERS CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
Registration is now open for PEI’s Managers Conference March 9-11, 2022, in San Antonio. This event combines two popular PEI programs, the Purchasing & Inventory Managers Conference and the Service & Construction Managers Conference, into one.

The conference will feature keynote speakers, workshops, panels, micro-session breakouts and plenty of time to network and connect with other attendees and key vendors.

While leadership is the overriding theme, attendees will gain many insights central to their daily operations. Topics include:

• Managing the Supply Chain Disruption
• Service Tech Recruitment & Retention
• Environmental Compliance
• Jobsite & Driver Safety
• What Makes a Parts Department Successful?
• Hidden Costs & Values in Inventory Management
• Inventory & Warehouse Management for Service Vehicle Replenishment

More information and online registration is available here. For information on sponsoring the event, contact Tom Leibrandt at tleibrandt@pei.org or 918-236-3962.

BIDEN EV CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY
On December 13, the Biden Administration outlined its plans for building out a national network of 500,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. As part of the plan, a newly created Joint Office of Energy and Transportation will focus on deploying EV infrastructure. The joint office will ensure the Department of Energy and the Department of Transportation (DOT) implement the EV charging network and other electrification provisions in the recently enacted Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Additionally, by February 11, DOT will publish guidance for states and cities to strategically deploy EV charging stations to build out a national network along the U.S. highway system. Watch for more information on EV provisions in the new law in upcoming editions of TulsaLetter, PEI News Watch and the PEI Journal.

The administration’s action plan can be found here.

EPA’S PROPOSED BIOFUEL VOLUME STANDARDS FOR 2020, 2021, 2022
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a package of actions setting biofuel volumes for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program for years 2020, 2021 and 2022. For 2020, EPA is proposing to reduce the total renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for renewable fuel to 17.13 billion gallons, down from 20.09 billion gallons as finalized in late 2019. For 2021 and 2022, EPA is proposing to set the RVO at 18.52 billion gallons and 20.77 billion gallons, respectively.

STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATORY UPDATES
DOT Seeks Comments on New Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Programs. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is seeking comments on the development of guidance for two new EV charging station programs included in the recently enacted Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The law established the National Electric Vehicle Formula Program to deploy an interconnected network of EV charging stations along highway corridors by providing states with formula funding. The Charging and Fueling Infrastructure discretionary grant program will make competitive grants available to improve public accessibility to EV charging and hydrogen, propane and natural gas fueling stations along designated alternative fuel corridors or other community locations accessible to drivers. FHWA is especially interested in comments suggesting ways that the guidance could promote equity in the deployment of EV charging infrastructure under these programs. Comments are due January 28. The notice is available here.

OSHA Extends Comment Period for Heat Rule. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is extending the period for submitting comments on the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings. Comments must now be submitted by Jan. 26, 2022. Of particular importance to PEI members, OSHA is seeking input on how business size may influence the practices and interventions implemented to prevent heat-related injuries and illnesses and the challenges experienced by businesses of varying sizes when implementing these prevention strategies. The notice is available here.

OK STAC Recommends Changes to Tank and Piping Regulations. On December 10, the Oklahoma Storage Tank Advisory Council (OK STAC) voted to recommend that the state Petroleum Storage Tank Division (PSTD) move forward with rulemaking changes for Chapters 15, 25 and 26 of the PSTD rules. The changes include: referencing the American Petroleum Institute (API) Recommended Practice 1637 color symbol system for tank fields (Ch. 15); adding a definition for repair and revising the slope requirements for petroleum product piping (Ch. 25); and updating code and standard references, as well as adding PEI/RP1700 Recommended Practices for the Closure of Underground Storage Tank and Shop-Fabricated Aboveground Storage Tank Systems (Ch. 25 & Ch. 26) to its list of approved codes and standards. For more information, contact the Oklahoma PSTD at 405-521-4683.

PEI NEWS
Alyson Cram joined PEI as communications coordinator. Cram previously was head graphic designer with Dupree Sports & Screen Printing in Stillwater, Oklahoma. She holds a bachelor's of science degree in strategic communications from Oklahoma State University. 

NEWS BRIEFS
NV Energy received approval from the Nevada Public Utilities Commission to invest $100 million in infrastructure for electric cars and trucks over the next three years. NV Energy plans to increase the availability of public EV charging stations along major travel corridors and at key destinations.

Alaska is developing an EV fast-charging corridor along the state’s main highway system. A total of 15 fast chargers of at least 50kW and eight co-located Level 2 chargers will be installed at nine stations. All installations are expected to be completed by summer 2022.

U.S. mayors recently identified EVs as the most promising technology choice for reducing energy use and carbon emissions in their cities. The 103-city survey, conducted by the United States Conference of Mayors, is available here.

The 2019 cost of injury in the U.S. was $4.2 trillion, according to a new report in the Center for Disease Control’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The costs include spending on health care, lost work productivity, as well as estimates of cost for lost quality of life and lives lost.

A coalition of U.S. electrical utilities announced plans for a charging network for EVs with a goal of charging ports along all major U.S. travel corridors by 2023.

DEATHS
Robert E. “Bob” Dendy Jr., 79, died Nov. 19 in Houston. Dendy worked in the petroleum equipment industry for more than 40 years. After serving in the army (82nd airborne company), he began his career with Modern Welding, then started his own manufacturer representative agency, Petro Energy Inc. Dendy served on the PEI board of directors and was named PEI Ambassador five times. He is survived by his son, Dean Dendy (Kelly) and daughter, Angela Dendy Parr (Richard), who still run Petro Energy.

PEI MEMBER NEWS
Domino Equipment Company, an Oklahoma City-based fuel and car wash distribution, construction and service business, has been acquired by Crossplane Capital of Dallas, Texas. Barry Brodersen, founder of Domino, will remain with the company as CEO. Infinity Capital Partners served as exclusive investment banking advisor to Domino.

Patriot Capital promoted Bradley Faccento to south central territory manager. Faccento previously served as Patriot Capital’s chief of staff, sales. In his new role, he will be responsible for the company’s distributor, jobber, major oil and dealer relationships in Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Tennessee and West Virginia. 

SloanLED promoted Steve Shotwell, chief operations officer, to the dual role of President and COO, and Warren Turner, director of lighting systems, to general manager of North American Lighting Systems.

Bob Mathews will take over as president of Northwest Pump (NWP) on January 1. Mathews is currently vice president of the company. Mark Mathews, current NWP president/CEO, will remain CEO until the end of 2022 to assist in the transition.

Blue1 Energy Equipment announced the addition of Jack Pittman & Associates Inc. to its organization to serve as a sales and marketing partner in the southeast U.S. Jack Pittman & Associates Inc. will complement Blue1 with its existing sales force in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida and Alabama. 

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS
Mexican Service Company. Promoeco SA de CV, Nardo No 2232 Ote Col Moderna, Monterrey, Mexico, 64530, has applied for service and construction division membership. Amelia Cortez is accounting assistant for the company, which was established in 1992. Promoeco SA de CV provides consulting, maintenance, construction and equipment for service stations. Sponsored for PEI membership by Andrés Gutiérrez Torres, AMPES, Benito Juárez, Mexico. www.promoeco.mx

California EV Delivery Vehicle Company. EMC Squared Vehicles, Poinsettia, 4, Irvine, CA 92604, has applied for affiliate division membership. Mandar Padhye is the founder of the firm, which was established in 2014. EMC Squared Vehicles manufactures EV delivery vehicles for convenience stores. Sponsored for PEI membership by Ben Stallings, Fatboy Electric Inc., Kansas City, Missouri. www.emc2vehicles.com

Mexican Consulting Company. Equipos y Servicios Industriales Generales, S.A. de C.V., Calle Del Pedregal No. 38 Col. El Pedregal, Tijuana, Baja, California 22104, Mexico, has applied for affiliate division membership. Alicia Zazueta Payan is director general for the firm, which was established in 2014. Equipos y Servicios Industriales Generales, S.A. de C.V. specializes in regulatory compliance and legal assessment of the fuel and oil sector. Sponsored for PEI membership by Andrés Gutiérrez Torres, AMPES, Benito Juárez, Mexico.

Ghana Distributor. Universal Engineering & Consultancy Services Limited, Blk 2 & 3, Elim House, Spintex Road, Accra, Ghana, has applied for distributor division membership. Richard Atalobra is CEO for the company, which was established in 2003. Universal Engineering & Consultancy Services Limited provides engineering services, equipment supply, installation and maintenance of fuel dispensing, meter, control, monitoring and management systems for the petroleum industry in Ghana and other west African countries. Sponsored for PEI membership by Sally Locke, Leighton O’ Brien, Dallas, Texas. www.universal.com.gh

EV Charging Company. Blink Charging, 605 Lincoln Road, 5th Floor, Miami Beach, FL 33139, has applied for affiliate division membership. Nicole Vihlen is senior marketing manager for the company, which was established in 2009. Blink Charging designs, manufactures, owns and operates EV charging stations. Sponsored for PEI membership by Ben Thomas, UST Training, Langley, Washington.

ADMISSIONS

• Slow Stop Guarding Systems, San Antonio, Texas (affiliate)
• Aplus Business Solutions, Gardnerville, Nevada (affiliate)
• One Source Industries LLC, North Aurora, Illinois (affiliate)
• Bevers and Co dba, Cypress, Texas (affiliate)

The TulsaLetter is published each month by the Petroleum Equipment Institute. Opinions expressed are the opinions of PEI.