Energy Marketers of America weekly update on important national industry news

October 11, 2024

New EMA Member Service Benefit: You Need Drivers. EMA Can Help

The Energy Marketers of America has partnered with the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) to provide a new member benefit to help your company get drivers on the road. The ACE (Administrative Compliance Experts) Services Program guides individuals through the Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

What does ACE do? 
Serving as the FMCSA Registered Training Provider, ACE handles:

• FMCSA paperwork and filings
• FMCS audits
• Training materials and training equipment guidance to meet FMCSA requirements

ACE will save you thousands of dollars – up to $3,000 per driver – AND help you cut through all the red tape.

Learn more about how ACE works, how much it costs, and how you can enroll your company by joining our webinar on Thursday, October 24th at 11am EST below.

Marketers Continue Helping Victims of Disasters

It’s no surprise to us that marketers, in spite of going well above and beyond in serving the public - especially during disasters, that many of you want to know where to make donations to groups who are also helping the victims of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.

We’ve reached out to a number of trusted contacts for suggestions on groups who are doing some of the best work and who can be trusted not to commit fraud or misuse of donations.

The following are some of the responses we received:

• The Fuel Relief Fund Home | Fuel Relief Fund provides fuel to disaster victims in the U.S. and worldwide and has already deployed to NC for victims of Hurricane Helene.
• The Governor's Disaster Relief Fund provides a wealth of information, including how to volunteer and how to donate to help people in NC. Also with the United Way, Disaster Relief Fund (unitedway.org) you can specifically ask that the donations support those in Western NC, instead of the general fund.
• The Samaritans Purse is doing phenomenal work in states damaged by Hurricane Helene (they just added Burnsville in Western NC) and is preparing to respond to Milton. Massive Response Follows Hurricane Helene’s Gut Punch (samaritanspurse.org)

On-Demand Webinar: Beneficial Ownership Reporting for Energy Marketers

The January 1, 2025 deadline for BOI report filings is rapidly approaching. To assist you in staying compliant and avoiding penalties, the Energy Marketers of America recently hosted a highly informative webinar, “The BOI Reporting Deadline is Approaching: What Energy Marketers Need to Know to Stay Compliant,” in collaboration with Wolters Kluwer on September 10th. Thanks to all who joined us live!

In this webinar, we covered the types of entities affected by the BOI requirements, emphasized the urgency of meeting the federal deadline, and provided an overview of the BizFilings BOI reporting solution. We also included a step-by-step demonstration of the tool to guide you in filing your BOI reports on time and maintaining compliance with this federal regulation.

For those who were unable to attend, we’re pleased to provide you with the recording. Access these resources at your convenience to stay informed and prepared.

CLICK HERE to access the on-demand webinar.

Next Steps:

• Need to figure out if your business is impacted by BOI? Take the quiz.
• Ready to file? Click here to file now and use EMA12 for 12% off your filing.

Avoid penalties and fines - get organized, save time, and file your BOI report today.

EMA-Worldpay Partnership Reduces Card Processing Fees

EMA and Worldpay have partnered over the years to bring energy marketers the lowest possible transaction cost in the industry. Participants in this programenjoy reduced fees as a result of processing efficiencies. With no hidden fees, percentage rates or complicated statements, the program offers EMA members a flat $0.029 cent transaction fee after interchange on all card payments.

Worldpay provides leading payments processing services across multiple industry verticals. Utilizing traditional point-of-sale technologies to mobile devices, customers can accept payments anytime, anywhere. From transaction capturing and processing to merchant acquiring, Worldpay provides insightful expertise, seamless delivery and valued relationships.

To learn how Worldpay can serve your payment card processing needs or to set up your account, please call our EMA Account Sales Representative, Erick Wildeor 813-600-0447.

Member Services Benefit with RINAlliance
Are you taking advantage of the Renewable Fuel Standard?
In 2024, the Energy Marketers of America announced an exclusive member service agreement with RINAlliance, so that every fuel marketer has an opportunity to leverage the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

Whether a fuel marketer is determining whether to blend and take renewable fuel with RINs, or whether they are a current RFS participant looking to improve RIN management, RINAlliance can help with strategies, tools and expert support.

Schedule your consultation today to learn more by visiting www.rinalliance.com/contact. Be sure to tell them you heard about RINAlliance through EMA or one of its Federation members.

Weekend Reads

Shift to EV-only future would spell job losses, Toyota chairman warns

EIA now publishes additional U.S. biofuel and distillate forecasts - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)

New ad—Ridin’ with Biden—urges Congress to overturn Biden-Harris gas car ban, while polling in competitive states shows liability of the issue across the ticket | American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (afpm.org)

Exclusive: BP abandons goal to cut oil output, resets strategy | Reuters

Tired of Delayed IRS Tax Refunds?
EMA Member Service Benefit with IRS-Approved E-File Company ThinkTrade to Help Streamline IRS Tax Refunds

Last year, the Energy Marketers of America (EMA) announced an exclusive member service agreement with ThinkTrade, an IRS authorized e-filing service provider and a BBB accredited company with A+ rating, enabling safe and secured filing for taxpayers. ThinkTrade will grant EMA member companies a 15 percent discount off ThinkTrade’s e-filing services through a dedicated landing page to prepare, file and pay federal excise tax returns on IRS Forms 720, 8849 and 2290.

With over two decades of experience serving customers, ThinkTrade has a proven track record of delivering savings and support to trucking companies of all types and sizes when filing federal excise taxes. Energy marketers will also have access to ThinkTrade’s dedicated 24/7/365 support team, which provides one point of contact for all e-filing service needs. 

Federated Insurance Employment Practices Network HR Question of the Month

Federated Insurance’s HR Question of the Month focuses on employment-related practices liability issues. This month’s question is: FMLA Leave for Childcare.With the start of the school year, multiple employees have requested to use Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave to take care of their children when they have days off from school. These employees have not brought up any medical condition; our understanding is that they do not want to arrange for childcare and want to take days off to watch their kids themselves. Are we required to provide them with FMLA leave for regular childcare reasons? Please click here to read the response. 

For additional information or to discuss this in further detail, please contact your Federated regional representative or EMA’s National Account Executive Patrick Cunningham at 507.455.8935 for any additional information or risk management questions. Federated is a Partner in EMA’s Board of Directors Council.