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From the Desk of the EVP

PEI’s Actions on NFPA 30A
Last week, you received an email from us outlining our support of a tentative interim amendment (TIA) to NFPA 30A that addresses electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment at liquid fueling facilities (see article below). Currently, national codes are limited in addressing the unique issues associated with these operations—a scenario that raises public safety concerns. The TIA provides guidance for the location, installation, and operation of EV charging at these facilities. I encourage PEI members to submit comments in support of this important safety initiative.

Membership Survey
PEI recently sent out a membership survey requesting feedback on PEI member benefits and services. If you received the survey via email and have not yet responded, the deadline to complete it is February 18. Your responses help us develop future programs and services tailored to our members’ specific needs. Please be sure to participate.

Strategic Long-Range Planning
In early March, PEI’s Strategic Long-Range Planning Committee will meet to review PEI’s strategic plan and establish a set of priorities and initiatives to further advance our mission. Feedback we received from the membership survey, mentioned above, will be used during the meeting to assess how we can best serve our members in the future. Revisiting our strategic plan each year helps us adjust our focus as our industry evolves.

Jason Blake
PEI Executive Vice President
jblake@pei.org

From the Desk of the EVP

PEI Supports NFPA 30A Amendment

RP100 Public Comment Period Open

Cross-Industry Compensation Survey

PEI Foundation Scholarships

Respond to this Newsletter

by e-mail to info@pei.org

PEI SUPPORTS AMENDMENT TO NFPA CODE THAT PROTECTS PEOPLE, PROPERTY
As the leading authority and source of information for fuel and fluid handling equipment, PEI is instrumental in improving the industry by developing best practices to protect people and the environment.

Most recently, PEI supported a tentative interim amendment (TIA) adding a new chapter to NFPA 30A to address EV charging at motor fuel dispensing facilities.

PEI is a member of the task force that developed the TIA and supports the guidance in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of the general public where electrical vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) is installed at liquid fueling facilities.

“Since the publication of our first recommended practice in 1986, PEI has supported the safe installation, inspection and repair of equipment where flammable or combustible liquids and gases are present,” PEI Executive Vice President Jason Blake said. “As more fueling retailers install EV charging stations, this TIA provides reasonable protective measures for regulatory authorities, facility owners and equipment installers to follow, ensuring that EVs can be charged safely and reliably while protecting people.”

Importantly, the Infrastructure Act signed into law last year commits significant investment in a nationwide EV charging network. Yet, there is no language in existing code relating to the safe siting, installation, operation, inspection and maintenance of EV charging equipment at liquid fueling facilities.

“This TIA ensures that EV chargers, when located at these facilities, are installed safely and potential hazards are properly detected and evaluated,” Blake said.

The TIA may be accessed here. A link to submit comments in support of the safety guidance can be found at the end of the document. Comments are due March 2.

RP100 PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD OPENS
The 45-day public comment period on PEI/RP100, Recommended Practices for Installation of Underground Liquid Storage Systems, is now open. RP100 was most recently revised in 2019 to specifically address public comment surrounding non-metallic fill risers. A full review of the document was not conducted at that time.

The PEI Tank Installation committee is now seeking comments on the entire document, which provides the most current information on sound engineering and construction practices with regard to the proper installation of underground liquid storage systems. To submit comments, visit http://www.pei.org/rp100 and click “Comment Now.”

CROSS-INDUSTRY COMPENSATION SURVEY
Official representatives of PEI member distributor and service & construction companies recently received an invitation to participate in the 2022 PEI Cross-Industry Compensation & Benefits Survey. Results of this study will answer key questions such as:

• Are you leading, matching or falling below the market in compensation?
• Is your turnover rate comparable to what others are experiencing?
• How long does it take other companies to fill an open position?
• How are companies attracting and retaining employees?
• What are the top concerns/threats in your industry?

Your participation is critical to produce robust collective data. And your participation comes with additional benefits: a comparison report with aggregated results of 1,000+ other distributors; Excel data tables with full cross-industry data aggregates; a PDF-based customized and confidential Company-specific Compensation Report (CCR); and access to a searchable results application that allows users to interactively aggregate the data set based on multiple filters of their choosing.

Please participate in this important survey. Information submitted is strictly confidential.

WIN A $1K PEI FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP: DEADLINE MARCH 31
March 31 is the deadline for dependents of full-time PEI member company employees to apply for the PEI Foundation’s $1,000 Charles D. Kemp Scholarships.

Each applicant must plan to enroll as a full-time freshman for the 2022-2023 academic year at an accredited four-year college or university. Access the application and a flyer to post in your office here.

PEI WEBINAR: WINNING THE WAR FOR TALENT
This webinar will provide a labor market update from a recruiter’s perspective. Speaker Alex Chausovsky, director of analytics & consulting, Miller Resource Group, will provide an assessment of the current state of the labor force in the U.S., discuss the implications for companies trying to attract, hire and retain workers in a candidate-driven market and analyze various talent supply and demand disruptors. He will also peel back the curtain on the recruitment industry and stress the need for partnerships. The webinar is free for all PEI members. Register here.

FALL PROTECTION WEBINAR
STI/SPFA is hosting a fall protection webinar at 10 a.m. CST, Feb. 24. The webinar, “The ABCs of Fall Protection,” will include brief discussions on OSHA vs ANSI standards, describe the three main members of a confined space team, cover the hierarchy of fall protection, and dive deeper into the personal fall arrest system. The webinar is free to all attendees. Register here.

REGULATORY UPDATES
OSHA Withdraws Vaccine Mandate. On January 25, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration withdrew its vaccine emergency temporary standard (ETS). The mandate would have required covered employers with 100 or more employees to either mandate their workforce receive the vaccination against COVID-19 or test workers weekly. OSHA made clear that although it was withdrawing the ETS, it will continue to pursue a regular rulemaking on the mandate.
Administration Announces $5 billion for EV Charging Network. On Feb. 10, the U.S. Departments of Transportation and Energy announced nearly $5 billion will be made available to states over the next five years to build out a national EV charging network. The new National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, established by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will help states create a network of EV charging stations along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors, particularly along the Interstate Highway System. The total amount available to states in fiscal year 2022 under the NEVI Formula Program is $615 million. The new Joint Office of Energy and Transportation also launched a new website at DriveElectric.gov.

HIRE VETS MEDALLION PROGRAM
The Department of Labor’s HIRE Vets Medallion Award recognizes employers for their investments in recruiting, employing and retaining veterans. This award is an opportunity to highlight your organization’s work to support America’s veterans.

The award is based on a number of criteria, ranging from veteran hiring and retention to providing veteran-specific resources, leadership programming, dedicated human resources, and compensation and tuition assistance programs – with varying requirements for large, medium and small employers.

Employers may apply online and learn more about the application process at HIREVets.gov. The deadline to apply is April 30.

2021 EVS MEDIAN DRIVING RANGE ABOUT 60% OF GASOLINE POWERED VEHICLES
According to the U.S. Department of Energy Vehicle Technologies Office, the median driving range of model year 2021 all-electric vehicles (EVs) was 234 miles while the median range for gasoline vehicles was 403 miles. The maximum range for any EV offered in the 2021 model year was 405 miles. Some EVs offered for the 2022 model year have a maximum range of more than 500 miles. Range for EVs is based on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates for a single charge. Range for gasoline vehicles is based on tank size and EPA combined fuel economy rating.

MEMBER NEWS
Rosewood Private Investments has acquired American Petroleum Sales and Service (AMPET) and Petroleum Equipment Company, Inc. (PECO). Infinity Capital Partners served as exclusive investment banking advisor to Rosewood. AMPET, headquartered in Southaven, Mississippi, is a petroleum equipment distributor with full-service installation, distribution and service capabilities. The company operates out of four branch locations in Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee. PECO is a petroleum equipment distributor and service company based in Richland, Mississippi, with customers in multiple states in the southeast.

Clean Fuels National announced two appointments to its leadership team. Jessica Montgomery was named marketing manager—she brings over 5 years of experience in the petroleum industry and a strong background in sales and marketing. Joe Dixon was named safety manager and brings nearly 20 years of experience in safety management in various industries including healthcare, logistics, and construction.
Note: On January 28, a fire occurred at Clean Fuels National’s main office building in Keystone, Indiana. Thankfully, no one was injured. Our thoughts are with the company as it begins the rebuilding process.

D&H United Fueling Solutions announced that Mike McCabe has joined the company as director, EV infrastructure. In this role, McCabe will be directing D&H United’s EV charging installation and service business. McCabe brings over 10 years of development, construction, and field operations experience in the EV infrastructure field. Before joining D&H United, he was at Nissan Americas, managing EV infrastructure installations with dealers, Nissan facilities and other EV service providers.

Hockman-Lewis Limited is celebrating 90 years as an export management company, specializing in marketing and selling retail and commercial fueling, automotive service and liquid handling equipment in international markets outside of the U.S. and Canada. The company was founded in 1932 by J.L. Hockman as a third-party exclusive exporter of service station equipment. It still specializes in vehicle fueling and maintenance equipment, along with downstream fuel, pest control and industrial equipment.

Shields, Harper & Co. (SHC) has acquired LilyPad EV LLC, a provider of EV supply equipment. LilyPad EV will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary within the newly created SHC renewables division. Founded in 1917, SHC provides integrated solutions across fueling equipment, retail automation, and foodservice equipment.

Universal Valve Co. is commemorating its 90th anniversary in 2022. The family-owned company was founded in 1932 by Joseph V. Milo. Robert Milo is current CEO. Universal Valve started with one valve—the 200A union check valve—and has expanded to a complete line of engineered valves, fittings, manholes, air towers, pipe guards, bollards, island forms, and spill containers for the service station industry.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS
Costa Rica Distributor. Empresa Comercial Petrolera Ecopetrol SA, Barreal Heredia, Ulloa, 600 mts oeste del cruce de Barreal, en Multicomercial Baden Locales 05 y 06, Heredia, 40104, Costa Rica, has applied for distributor division membership. Roycers Domingo Urbina Cerna is owner of the company, which was established in 2012. Empresa Comercial Petrolera Ecopetrol SA sells equipment and parts for gas stations and designs, remodels and builds service stations as well as performs preventative and corrective maintenance. Sponsored for PEI membership by David Fiala, FMG-LLC/SFICO, Maitland, Florida. www.ecopetrolcr.com

Kansas Canopy Designer. Universal Sign & Display, LLC, PO Box 888, Ottawa, KS, 66067 has applied for affiliate division membership. Jeff Walk is sales manager for the company, which was established in 1990. Universal Sign & Display, LLC designs, manufactures and installs canopy fascia for gas stations and convenience stores. Sponsored for PEI membership by Dewayne Kibbe, Image Resource Group (Fashion), Ottawa, Kansas. www.usd-llc.com

Illinois Manufacturer. Zeeline by Milton, 4500 West Cortland St., Chicago, IL, 60639 has applied for manufacturer division membership. Curt Evey is vice president of sales and business development for the company, which was established in 1947. Zeeline by Milton manufactures hand held lubrication tools and equipment. Sponsored for PEI membership by Lee Smith, Phoenix Pump, Greensboro, North Carolina. www.zeeline.com

North Carolina Installer. Piedmont Pump and Tank, LLC, 110 N. Oscar Ln., Wendell, NC, 27591 has applied for service and construction division membership. Bobby Creech is president of the company, which was established in 2020. Piedmont Pump and Tank, LLC offers construction and installation services including ground-up construction, re-pipes, tank installation and removal, dispenser swap outs, piping repairs, fuel system additions, mechanical service and general construction services including canopy footings, area light footings and concrete flat work. Sponsored for PEI membership by Glen Corkill, Source North America, Arlington, Texas.

Virginia Service Company. Petroleum Solutions, LLC, 14520 Sir Peyton Drive, Chester, VA, 23836 has applied for service and construction division membership. James Kevin Perlowski is the owner of the company, which was established in 2015. Petroleum Solutions LLC specializes in service, installation and calibrations for the industry and sells point-of-sale (POS) systems, dispensers and automatic tank guage systems. Sponsored for PEI membership by Doc Boehme, Bottom Line of MN Inc., Port Saint Lucie, Florida.

ADMISSIONS

• Bisan Trading and Industrial Services Inc., Missassauga, Ontario, Canada (affiliate)
• CarePro National Painting, White House, Tennessee (service & construction)
• CMG Environmental, Sturbridge, Massachusetts (affiliate)
• EMC Squared Vehicles, Irvine, California (affiliate)
• Equipos Y Servicios Industriales Generales, S.A. de C.V., Tijuana Baja, California, Mexico (afflilate)
• Kristen Rivera, The Hertz Corporation, Estero, Florida (operations & engineering)
• Media Woodlands, Spring, Texas, (affiliate)
• Promoeco SA de CV, Monterrey, Mexico (service & construction)
• RCT Petroleum, Inc., Milwaukee, Wisconsin (service & construction)

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