Yesterday, President Biden vetoed a bipartisan congressional resolution that would repeal the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule that was implemented by the Biden Administration’s EPA. A major point of contention since it was introduced in 2021, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said the rule was not a “commonsense conservation measure,” but instead that it was a “radical power grab that would give federal bureaucrats sweeping control over nearly every piece of land that touches a pothole, ditch, or puddle.” The President’s veto ends Congressional efforts to overturn the rule, however, the Supreme Court is likely to invalidate part or all of it. Justices are expected to rule by June in a case that centers on the reach of the 1972 water law.

Meanwhile, Congress may be out of town on Easter/Passover Recess, but that does not mean staffers are not working, including EMA’s efforts to push lawmakers for a bicameral, bipartisan letter to the EPA detailing the unintended consequences of the EPA’s proposed gasoline bulk plant vapor recovery rule. At this time, EMA has secured leads in the Senate and House, and rather than identify a small group of members, EPA is covering the waterfront to urge members of both parties to support EMA member companies’ small gasoline bulk plant operations nationwide. When Congress returns from its recess, EMA intends to continue identifying members of Congress that will support our members in fighting this onerous regulation.

Separately, EMA continues to work with Rep. Greg Pence (R-IN) to identify support for a letter to oppose the Biden Administration’s proposed Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) regulation that would cut the maximum length for emergency hours of service waivers from 30 days to 5 days. EMA members – and reasonable members of Congress – know that this 5-day proposal will leave a lot of individuals exposed in the event of a natural disaster, and EMA is working to ensure the Administration understands this and, with any hope, shelves its proposal.

In addition, when Congress returns, EMA expects a number of members and committees to continue work on major authorizing legislation, like the Farm Bill and FAA Reauthorization. EMA also anticipates the FY 2024 appropriations cycle will pick up in full force. Needless to say, this recess is very much the calm before the storm as Congress will be back and ready to get to work.

This week, NORA released the first episode of its new podcast series called In the Loop with NORA. The new podcast series looks at how the liquid fuel heating industry lowers carbon emissions from homes along with an emphasis on heating system efficiencies and technical education.

To hear Episode 1 and future episodes, go to www.IntheLoopwithNORA.org or visit https://noraweb.org.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to propose the toughest-ever standards for tailpipe emissions next week when President Biden travels to Detroit. Sources report that the proposed standards stop just short of an all-out ban on vehicles powered by internal combustion engines and designed to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles. The proposed standards on cars and light trucks will attempt to curb emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and other pollution from vehicles manufactured for model years 2027 through 2032.

“The Energy Marketers of America (EMA) is concerned with the Biden Administration’s aggressive attempt to electrify the transportation sector because it would limit consumer choice on cleaner greener ICEs, increase Americans’ utility bills to subsidize a massive expansion of the electric grid for EV charging and threaten the viability and jobs of small business energy marketers around the country, whether they deliver gasoline and diesel or renewable fuels like ethanol, biodiesel and renewable diesel,” said EMA President Rob Underwood.

Environmentalists, public-health officials and electric-vehicle advocates have lobbied the administration to ensure requirements for model-year 2030 vehicles are 75 percent more stringent than those governing 2021 models. U.S. auto manufacturers are urging the EPA to extend the ambitious emission reduction timetable to make way for an orderly industrial transition to electric vehicles. One huge roadblock holding back the transition to electric vehicles is the lack of a nationwide charging infrastructure. Additionally, automakers already face global challenges obtaining battery materials, including China’s stranglehold on the industry and mining in Africa. Will they have everything they need to ramp up electric car production — and at what cost to the economy and the environment? Check out fuelmatters.org for more information.

The EPA is also set to propose new rules to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from heavy-duty trucks and power plants later this month. EMA will report on developments regarding these proposed rules when they are released.

Ford, Stellantis says new rules will cut EV tax credits for most models | Reuters

NACFE report affirms hydrogen's major role in long-haul trucking's future

Oil’s Big Overhaul Shows Growing Dominance of US Crude | Bloomberg

Manchin blasts Biden Treasury Department for 'pathetic' EV tax credit move | Washington Examiner

EMA’s annual Washington Conference and Day on the Hill will be held in Washington, DC from May 10-12 at The Mayflower Hotel. Our industry continues to have dozens of important legislative and regulatory issues to discuss and the Day on the Hill remains the primary focus of this conference for you to meet with your members of Congress and network with other marketers from across the country!

You can find all conference details by CLICKING HERE from how to make your hotel reservations, to viewing the conference schedule and registering with secure event payment processing. Hotel reservations will close on April 18 6:00pm Eastern or when the room block is sold out. Registrations must be received by April 28 to be included in our hotel guarantee.

EMA wants to give a huge THANK YOU to our EMA Board of Directors Council and Executive Committee Council Corporate Partner Sponsors: Federated Insurance, Reynolds American, Motiva, Altria Group Distribution Company, Marathon Petroleum Company LP, Valero Energy Corporation, StoneX Financial Inc., Citgo Petroleum Corporation and Buckeye Energy Services LLC! A special THANK YOU to our Elite Sponsors for this meeting only: Spirit Petroleum and Meridian Associates!

EMA and Empire State Energy Association (ESEA) want to extend a special THANK YOU to Citgo and Buckeye Energy for the Reception honoring our 2023 EMA Chair Jason Mirabito.

We appreciate the loyalty and support of each of our EMA Corporate Partners and their continuous commitment to the energy sector. For more information on our Partner Programs, please contact Susan Isard.

PAC Co-Chairs Mike Downs and Tim Keigher are grateful for the Energy Marketers of America Small Business Committee (SBC) PAC contributions from the following individuals during the March 1-31, 2023 time frame:

Connecticut: John Bowman, Mohammed Khan
Idaho: Brett Adams, Matt Berry, Ron Berry, Derek Brewer, Dennis Campo, Charlie Jones, Josh Kerr
Michigan: Larry Galgoci, Craig Hoppen, Daniel Pohl
Mississippi: Matthew Bogue, Andrew Bryant, Philip Chamblee, John Fair, Zane Hood, Parker Lipscomb, Eric Prince, Perry Rackley, William Sumrall, W. Clifton Van Cleave
Missouri: Brian Baker, R. Scott Blank, Thomas Kolb, Jeffrey Naegler, Chad Wallis
Montana: James Curry
NECSEMA: Alexander Weatherall
New York: Jeffrey Farbaniec
North Dakota: Matt Bjornson, Chris Fitterer, Mike Rud
South Carolina: Alec Boyd McLeod III, Brendan Nugent, Elizabeth Albenesius Simmons
Texas: Bobby Warren
Washington: Chris Eerkes

The Energy Marketers of America will hold a PAC raffle during the EMA Day on the Hill Meeting at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC on Wednesday 10-12. The raffle winner will be identified during the conference on May 12. The winner does not have to be present to win. If you are not attending the conference and you are the fortunate owner of the Tom Brady New England Patriots Framed Super Bowl Champion Ticket Collage, you will be notified the week following the May drawing.

Commemorate Tom Brady and the New England Patriots as 6-Time Super Bowl Champions with this collage. Each piece features Super Bowl photographs and the replica ticket from each of the Patriots Super Bowl victories. It is double matted and framed in black wood with a decorative plate and Patriots logo art and is officially licensed by the National Football League.

The proceeds of the raffle will benefit the Energy Marketers of America SBC PAC. The money distributed to the PAC is used to benefit federal legislators who support the industry and have a solid record on key industry legislative issues.

Tickets are $25 each or six for $100. Advanced tickets for the Tom Brady Ticket Collage are available for purchase at text2bid app opening April 10 to May 12. Tickets must be paid for with personal funds by MasterCard, VISA, American Express, cash (cash cannot exceed $100 due to Federal regulations) or check (checks should be made out to the EMA SBC PAC). To purchase tickets in advance, please contact Sabrina Pitcher or 703-351-8000.

Energy Marketers of America Small Business Committee (SBC) PAC Co-Chairs Mike Downs and Tim Keigher would like to thank Lea McCullough and Washington Independent Energy Distributors (WIED), Kris DeLair and the Empire State Energy Association, Inc. (ESEA), Mike O’Halloran and Mid-Atlantic Petroleum Distributors’ Association (MAPDA) for their generous contributions for the EMA SBC PAC Silent Auction.

Thanks to WIED for the 1996 Blue Pearl Swirl Tabletop Gemstone World Globe that is perfect for collection and decoration. The custom-made World Globe was polished in California with imported cultured freshwater pearls (powdered and swirled), paired with brand new heavy and never rust zinc alloy stand that will last for generations.

Thanks to ESEA for contributing a bottle of Blanton’s Gold Edition Bourbon Whiskey. Blanton’s Gold is a must have for any serious collector and a sophisticated single barrel bourbon that truly deserves its gold edition status. It is the finest from Blanton’s esteemed collection, the Gold Lael Blanton’s is one of the top-shelf bourbons produced at Buffalo Trace.

Thanks to MAPDA for contributing a fun and delicious Jimmy’s Famous Seafood Bundle! The Maryland-style crab cake feast for 8 includes: 8 “World’s Best Colossal Maryland Crab Cakes,'' 4 pints of Jimmy’s homemade Maryland Style Crab soup, 4 pints of rich and delicately seasoned Cream of Crab soup, 2 pints of Jimmy’s thick creamy crab dip, 16 ounces of seafood seasoning, and 2 pints of Jimmy’s creamy house dressing with two Jimmy’s Famous Seafood American flag t-shirts and two bottle openers. We hope you’ll enjoy this taste of Maryland!

The Auction will take place in conjunction with Energy Marketers of America’s Washington Conference May 10-12 and bidding will start April 10 and close May 12 at 9 am. The auction items will be displayed at the Welcome reception on May 10. Last year there was tremendous support in contributions for the auction and EMA SBC PAC Co-Chairs Mike Downs and Tim Keigher urge your participation this year as well! Mike and Tim wish to remind you that donations can include use of personal vacation properties.

If you have items that you would like to contribute for the Silent Auction, please contact Sabrina Pitcher at 703-351-8000.

During April Distracted Driving Awareness Month, recommended partner Federated Insurance is sharing these sobering statistics with member clients: