| PMAA Urges Congress to Make Improvements to the Paycheck Protection Program
PMAA joined several associations in sending a letter to Congress in strong support for “The Paycheck Protection Program Small Business Forgiveness Act” (S. 4117) (H.R. 7777), sponsored by Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) as well as Reps. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) and Fred Upton (R-MI). The bill would streamline the forgiveness process for small businesses who received PPP loans of less than $150,000 upon the borrower’s completion of a simple, one-page forgiveness document. Click hereto read the letter.
PMAA also signed a letter in support of the “Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Small Business Enhancement Act” (H.R. 7894), which would provide businesses that have experienced a reduction in gross receipts of more than 20 percent as compared to last year with the opportunity to apply for a second PPP loan; permit businesses to use PPP loan funds on protective equipment and COVID-19 testing expenses; allow businesses to receive their regular tax deductions for eligible expenses paid with PPP loan funds and allowing automatic forgiveness for loans under $150,000 while maintaining the ability of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to audit those loans for compliance. Click here to view the letter.
HOS Waivers in Play for the Pandemic, Hurricanes Laura and Marco, Hurricane Sally and for the Wildfires
On Wednesday, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) expanded on an Hours of Service (HOS) waiver that was first granted to Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi in response to Hurricane Sally on Monday. The updated waiver was extended to include the states of Florida and Georgia. The waiver for the five states will remain in effect for the duration of the emergency or until October 14, 2020, whichever is less.
Click here to read the notice. The waiver applies to all CDL drivers nationwide who deliver designated emergency supplies including fuel into the emergency areas covered by the declaration. FMCSA Regulations Exempted: Parts 390 through 399 of FMCSA regulations as limited by the waiver.
Further the HOS waiver in response to Hurricanes Laura and Marco is still in effect until September 23.
The HOS waiver for California, Oregon and Washington because of the widespread wildfire activity is in effect through October 19, 2020.
Finally, the nationwide HOS waiver for response to the pandemic continues to be updated (currently through December 31, 2020), but it does not include fuel deliveries.
PMAA will continue to work closely with the FMCSA and other federal agencies to ensure regulatory waivers important to petroleum marketers are in place throughout the duration of such emergencies. PMAA will also continue to work with the federal government in critical communications as well as in obtaining generators for retail stations in areas severely impacted by disasters.
House GOP Outlines Legislative Roadmap if it Takes Back the House
On Tuesday, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) announced a Republican agenda that would serve as a legislative blueprint if the party were to regain the majority of the House in November. Although the GOP faces a steep climb to win back the House, many in the party are hoping to, at the very least, pick up seats and chip away at the Democrat’s majority. The plan, called the “Commitment to America,” focuses on ways to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, revive the economy and provide additional resources for police.
The plan also includes a five-year surface transportation reauthorization to fix the nation’s transportation infrastructure and a plan to significantly reduce the permitting process for infrastructure projects. In a statement, House Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO) stated, “Republicans will provide a reasonable, commonsense approach to improving our infrastructure that reforms the infrastructure project review and delivery process, focuses on traditional core transportation needs, emphasizes investment in rural America’s often neglected infrastructure, prepares our system for future transportation technologies, and fixes the Highway Trust Fund.”
Click here to view the story and GOP plan.
Stopgap Funding Deal to Be Announced Today
According to congressional aides, a stopgap spending bill will be released later today. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) announced earlier this week that the House plans to vote on the measure sometime next week to keep the government open when the fiscal year ends on October 1. Republicans and Democrats have been at odds over how long the spending bill should provide funding for the government, with many Republicans aiming to have it last through the election into December, and many Democrats aiming for the bill to last until next year in hopes that the party will take back the Presidency and Senate.
House Announces It Will Vote on a “Skinny” Clean Energy Bill Next Week
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) announced that the House will vote on the “Clean Economy and Jobs Innovation Act” (H.R. 4447) next week. The bill’s introduction comes in response to the significant progress the Senate has made on its own energy bill known as the “The American Energy Innovation Act.” Environmental groups are not too enthusiastic with the bill given that it does not set any specific carbon reduction targets.
Both bills contain provisions that would improve electric reliability and energy efficiency; promote the development of hydropower, geothermal, weatherize homes, and methane hydrates; enhance cyber security efforts; bolster mineral security; and repeals a range of obsolete authorities currently within the U.S. Code. However, there are provisions in H.R. 4447 that would expand the use of EVs and would create an (EV) supply equipment rebate program that the Senate bill does not include.
H.R. 4447 will likely pass the House next week, setting up the possibility that a “skinny” energy bill can reach the finish line before Congress adjourns this year.
Click here to view the story.
EPA Denies Dozens of Refiners’ Biofuel Waiver Requests
EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced this week that the agency is denying 54 biofuel exemption requests from refineries. Refiners had requested that the EPA grant them biofuel exemptions going back to 2011 which would allow them to circumvent a January decision from U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, which said a refinery can receive new exemptions only if they have received them continuously since the program began. Administrator Wheeler stated that he denied the petitions based on advice he received from the Department of Energy (DOE).
The Trump Administration’s announcement was praised by corn interests and scorned by the oil interests. AFPM President and CEO Chet Thompson said, “The notion that this Administration is ‘following the rule of law’ through its latest betrayal of US refinery workers is laughable. We hope the President and Administrator Wheeler feel a sense of responsibility when RFS compliance costs become even more untenable for refineries of all sizes. The legacy of this Administration’s handling of RFS will be fewer union refining jobs, facility closures, reduced US refining capacity, and increased imports of foreign biodiesel. Telling ethanol interests everything they want to hear in a press release is not going to increase the amount of ethanol that gasoline can absorb or do anything to help farmers and ethanol producers. EPA knows this. And now they need to answer how they plan to correct the 2020 RFS volumes artificially inflated because of small refinery exemptions that will no longer be granted and how they will protect consumers and US energy security by ensuring 2021 standards are achievable.”
In a statement, Wheeler said his “decision follows President Trump’s promise to promote domestic biofuel production, support our nation’s farmers, and in turn strengthens our energy independence. At the EPA, we are delivering on that promise by following the rule-of-law and ensuring 15 billion gallons are blended into the nation’s fuel supply.” President Trump has faced intense pressure from corn belt lawmakers like Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) who is in a tough race, in addition to his own tight race in Iowa.
President Trump Tweets Support for E15
President Trump took to Twitter over last weekend to support E15 stating “Subject only to State approval, our important Ethanol Industry will be allowed to use the 10% Pumps for the 15% BLEND.”
Unfortunately, E15 still has a long way to go before it can be sold legally at retail stations. In January 2020, the EPA Office of Underground Storage Tanks said that “Most older and even some newer existing UST systems (which includes but is not limited to tanks, pumps, ancillary equipment, lines, gaskets, and sealants) are not fully compatible with E15 and require modification before storing E15.” Click here for the official statement. In addition, the President’s declaration does not protect fuel marketers from noncompliance with state and federal UST regulations or from liability for a release resulting from the storage or dispensing of E15.
“The bottom line is that small business fuel marketers are extremely concerned about assuming liability without any legal protections,” said PMAA President Rob Underwood.
Business Roundtable Supports Action on Climate Change
Business Roundtable (BRT), a trade association representing CEO’s of some of the largest companies in the world, announced that they are in favor of a “market-based” solution to climate change. The association released several documents on Wednesday acknowledging that the climate is changing and that humans are playing a big role. It also acknowledged that much progress has been made to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions but said more needs to be done to combat climate change.
Doug McMillon, CEO of Walmart and BRT chairman, said “Representing more than 200 CEOs from America’s leading companies, the new Business Roundtable position on climate change reflects our belief that a national market-based emissions reduction policy is critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to levels designed to avoid the worst effects and mitigate the impacts of climate change.”
Click here to view the story and BRT documents.
Many New Donations for the Fall Meeting 2020 Silent Auction!
PMAA Small Business Committee (SBC) PAC Co-Chairs Brad Bell and Tim Keigher thank Ned Bowman and Florida Petroleum Marketers Association, Inc. for their substantial 2020 PMAA SBC PAC Silent Auction contributions!
To start, the Oculus Virtual Reality Headset is “the littlest big screen,” it has crystal clear optics and state of the art 3D graphics that make your headset feel more like a personal theater. Next, the Canon Mobile Mini Photo printer prints from Bluetooth and social media. The print resolution 314x400 dots per inch. Also, it comes with Canon Zink Photo paper pack of 50 sheets and hard carrying case.
Florida didn’t stop there! The Coravin wine system gives wine enthusiasts the freedom to pour any wine, in any amount, without removing the cork. The set includes the Model Two wine Preserver, 2 Argon capsules, 3 replacement wine needles, and a durable carry case. Also, the Kindle Waterproof was designed for you to read and relax at the beach, by the pool, or in the bath day or night with its built-in adjustable light. You will enjoy twice the storage with 8GB or choose 32GB to hold more magazines, comics, and audiobooks. A single battery charge lasts weeks, not hours. Finally, Florida provided the iRobot Roomba 675 Robot vacuum! It is a great way to begin cleaning your home smarter by just scheduling it to clean up daily dirt, dust, and debris with the iRobot Home app or your voice assistant. The Roomba is the future of cleaning!
Imagine the fun that you will have at PMAA’s Small Business Committee (SBC) PAC Virtual Silent Auction! Bidding will open on September 28 and close on October 8. The winners will be announced during the Board of Directors Meeting on Friday, October 9.
We want to remind you about our format for the PMAA SBC PAC Silent Auction. We are excited about partnering with C2Auctions again this year. They will organize the PMAA SBC PAC Silent Auction during our PMAA Virtual Fall meeting. All PMAA members will be eligible to participate from anywhere in the United States as long as they download the C2Auction App on their mobile phone. PMAA will provide a C2Auction/PMAA mobile link to all PMAA Association Executives prior to the event.
The purpose of mobile bidding is to make the PMAA SBC PAC Silent Auction more competitive, and fun, by notifying bidders the instant they are outbid. A notification informs the bidder that they are no longer winning, and to increase their bid or begin bidding on a new item.
We invite you and your members to support our important work and commitment to our industry by contributing a donation of an item or service for the auction. Your contributions will help elect individuals who are supportive of small business and independent petroleum marketers and who support PMAA’s legislative and regulatory agenda. Auction item contributions will be recognized in our PMAA Weekly Review announcing the item/donation, thanking the contributor(s) and describing the PMAA Silent Auction / C2Auctions collaboration and throughout the event to all PMAA members who download the Auction platform.
Last year, there was tremendous support in contributions for the auction! PMAA SBC PAC Co-Chairs Brad Bell and Tim Keigher urge your participation this year and wish to remind you that donations can include use of personal vacation properties. To contribute, please fill out the attached Auction Item Donation Form and email it to Sabrina Pitcher.
PMAA Journal Summer Issue Online Now
You can now take PMAA Journal with you wherever you go. Click here to view the Summer Issue (latest issue always online), optimized for any device. Scroll to select the articles that matter to you, then read, learn and share with the icons at the top of your screen. Looking for a past issue? Scroll through past covers on the left side of your browser or use our convenient search feature to find a particular topic. Miss flipping pages? Select "page view" from the menu bar or click the handy magazine icon for a classic page-turner.
For information on advertising in this valuable format, please call 844.423.7272 or email Innovative Publishing.
Federated Insurance Launches mySHIELD?: An Online Destination for Risk Management
On August 31, 2020, Federated Insurance launched mySHIELD?, an online destination for risk management resources to help businesses succeed. A brief video highlights mySHIELD’s manyfeatures.
Federated clients can register for mySHIELD by contacting the Client Contact Center at 1-888-333-4949. Once registered, users can also download the mySHIELD app from the App Store or Google Play Store for even more convenient access.
For additional information or to discuss further, please contact your Federated regional representative or PMAA’s National Account Executive Jon Medo at 800.533.0472. Federated is a PMAA Corporate Platinum Partner.
Federated Insurance: It’s Your Life
Can You Afford the Loss of a Key Employee?
If you’re like most business owners, you have one or more go-to employees when it comes to the day-to-day operation of your company. They have the management skills, technical know-how, experience, or customer relationships upon which you rely — you trust them to make the right decisions when you’re not available. They can be at any level or in any position, but they are people your business can’t do without. Now that you have them on your team, what would happen if you were to lose one of them due to a premature death, long-term illness or disability, or another employment opportunity?
To read the article in its entirety, please click here.
Please always feel free to contact your Federated regional representative or PMAA’s National Account Executive Jon Medo at 800.533.0472 for any additional information or risk management questions. Federated is a PMAA Corporate Platinum Partner.
This article is for general information and risk prevention only and should not be considered legal or other expert advice. The recommendations herein may help reduce, but are not guaranteed to eliminate, any or all risk of loss. The information herein may be subject to, and is not a substitute for, any laws or regulations that may apply. Qualified counsel should be sought with questions specific to your circumstances. © 2020 Federated Mutual Insurance Company.
Sound Payments Partners with Freedom Electronics: Working to Enable EMV at the Pump for More Stations
Sound Payments, a multi-channel technology company and Freedom Electronics, a provider of parts for fuel dispensers, point of sale systems and automatic tank gauges, are partnering to bring a retrofit option that enables EMV at the pump to more than 35,000 sites in the U.S.
For more information, please visit. Sound Payments is a PMAA Corporate Gold Partner.
PMAA Corporate Platinum Partner Spotlight Featuring: Renewable Energy Group, Inc.
Understanding the RFS and a Biofuels Pathway for the Industry: September 22, 2020
As a longtime partner to the Northeast heating oil industry, REG is proud to be a Silver Sponsor of the 2020 Virtual HEAT Show, taking place September 22-23. On Day 1 of this two-day online event, REG Director of Government Affairs Lindsay Fitzgerald will give her informative and engaging presentation, “Understanding the RFS and a Biofuels Pathway for the Industry” to a captive, online audience via the Virtual HEAT Show’s webinar platform.
As mentioned in the session description listed online, the RFS and its RINs marketplace provide heating oil dealers with a window into one pathway that blended fuel markets may take in the years ahead. If this evolution plays out, it will be up to each fuel marketer to know about this biofuels pathway, as an understanding of RINs may become every bit as important as heating oil marketers’ current understanding of No. 2 heating oil trades on the NYMEX.
“Understanding the RFS and a Biofuels Pathway for the Industry” webcasts at 2:00 PM Eastern Time on Tuesday, September 22. Click here to read more about the session and sign up. Note: you will need to register for the Virtual HEAT Show to attend the webinar.
For additional information about Renewable Energy Group, Inc., please visit or contact Steve Klein. Renewable Energy Group is a PMAA Corporate Platinum Partner.
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