The deadline to receive the attended pre-registration discount ends May 6 for the Eastern Energy Expo set for May 22 – 25, 2022 at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT.             The Pennsylvania Petroleum Association is a proud sponsor of this event. We highly encourage any PPA member planning on attending EEE to register now. To […]

On May 3, PPA and Warm Thoughts Communications will host a webinar to share recent survey results on What Pennsylvanians Think About Energy and Electrification from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. PPA and surrounding state associations gear up to defend against the government-based electrification policies, the industry has united to develop the largest consumer research study […]

On April 28, Department of Human Services Acting Secretary Meg Snead announced the deadline to apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has been extended to May 20.  It had been May 6. DHS has been able to provide increased benefits for this extended LIHEAP season due to the availability of funds through […]

The PennDOT is developing its plans for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure investments from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and held a briefing on the program April 27.  That briefing is now available on-demand if you missed it. The webinar is part of outreach the department is conducting with lawmakers, planning partners, utilities, local government […]

Owners of Pennsylvania coal-fired power plants, a coal industry trade group and labor unions that represent their workers filed a lawsuit April 25 to stop the DEP from enforcing new rules that will require fossil fuel power plants to pay to release carbon dioxide. They argue the rules amount to an unauthorized tax and go […]

On Friday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a temporary emergency waiver that allows the nationwide sale of E15 during the summer driving season effective May 1, 2022. The temporary waiver is authorized under Clean Air Act sections during emergency fuel supply shortages (CAA§ 21 l(c)(4)(C)(ii)(I), 42 U.S.C. § 7454(c)(4)(C)(ii)(I)). The EPA cites the “extreme […]

Last week, Congress returned to a busy agenda after a two-week recess. The House and Senate have largely opened up in-person meetings and many trade associations and interest groups are now holding in-person fly-ins.             EV Tax Credits During a hearing with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Senator Manchin criticized the idea of more electric vehicle […]

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued two new proposed rules this week that would ban the manufacture and sale of menthol flavored cigarettes and ban all flavored cigars and cigarillos. Should these federal flavor bans be finalized, it would represent the most far-reaching action taken by the FDA since Congress gave the agency the […]

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced last week it will move forward with a proposed rulemaking that would require speed limiters commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) weighing over 26,000 pounds and operated in interstate commerce. The FMCSA, in conjunction with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), proposed a speed limiter rule back on […]

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has entered into a consent decree with Growth Energy to issue minimum biofuel blending volumes under the renewable fuel standard (RFS) no later than June 3. The consent decree was the result of settlement of a lawsuit between the EPA and Growth Energy over the agency’s tardiness in meeting statutory […]

The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing May 4 on anticompetitive practices by the credit card industry that have led credit card “swipe” fees to more than double over the past decade and are driving up prices as consumers face near-record inflation. The announcement comes less than two weeks after Durbin, Senator Roger […]

Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else– — New Voting Districts – Senate, House, Congressional — Scranton Times Editorial: Courts Ensure Fairer Voting Districts — Governor’s Race — PennLive: Federal Judge Recommends Dismissal Of Lawsuits Seeking To Take Republicans Mastriano, Perry Off Primary Ballot — LancasterOnline – Brad Bumsted: Political ‘Shakedown:’ Republican Gubernatorial […]

Registration is now open for Eastern Energy Expo which will return in-person this year May 22 – 25, 2022 at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT.             The Pennsylvania Petroleum Association is a proud sponsor of this event. The discounted hotel room block is quickly filling up and will most likely reach full capacity prior to […]

The Department of Transportation will host an April 27 teleconference on the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Funding Program from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.  (formal notice) The purpose of the public meeting is to discuss the proposed State plan required as part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program requirement. Pennsylvania is estimated to receive $171.5 […]

On April 23, the final regulation establishing a program to reduce carbon pollution from power plants consistent with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative was published in the PA Bulletin after a two-and-a-half year development process.             The process included more House and Senate committee hearings and information sessions than any other issue in recent memory, […]

Gray, Gray & Gray’s is launching its 31st annual Energy Industry Survey to help establish the most up-to-date industry benchmarks and the standards by which company performance is measured. This year, the industry looks at challenges resulting from the Russia/Ukraine conflict and how companies like yours have adapted. Your participation and thoughtful responses contribute to […]

Recently, the NFPA Standards Council voted not to issue the proposed Tentative Interim Amendment (TIA) which would have added a new section to the 2021 edition of NFPA 30A (Code for Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages) regulating the placement of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations at motor fuel dispensing facilities. A TIA generally […]

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a proposed rulemaking this week to approve new Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) pathways for biofuels that are produced from canola/rapeseed oil. Only biofuels meeting EPA threshold greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions are eligible for the RFS program. The EPA assessed the GHG emission from canola/rapeseed biofuels produced via hydrotreating […]

The Biden Administration is launching a new series of initiatives aimed at increasing the number of qualified CDL drivers available to motor carriers nationwide. The “Trucking Action Plan” (Plan) is designed to draw new CDL drivers into the profession and retain those currently employed in an effort to eliminate the current 80,000 driver shortfall nationwide. […]

Recently Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), and Representatives Peter Welch (D-VT) and Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) sent a bipartisan, bicameral letter to the CEOs of Visa and Mastercard urging the companies not to proceed with plans to raise their interchange fee rates. In […]

Thursday, U.S. Reps. Val Demings (D-FL), Jerry Nadler (D-NY), David Cicilline (D-RI) and Kathy Castor (D-FL) introduced legislation “The Oil and Gas Industry Antitrust Act” which calls on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to conduct an investigation “to determine if the price of gasoline is being manipulated by reducing refinery capacity or by any other […]

Last Monday, the Biden Administration published sales notices for oil and gas leases in June on public lands in six states. In its announcement, the Department of Interior said it would proceed with the sales, but with diminished acreage and steeper royalties for oil and gas companies. Still though, this is a sharp policy reversal […]

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Department of Energy (DOE), National Security Agency (NSA), and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released a joint Cybersecurity Advisory to warn that certain advanced persistent threat (APT) actors have exhibited the capability to gain full system access to multiple industrial control system (ICS)/supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) […]

Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else– — New Voting Districts – Senate, House, Congressional — PA Capital-Star – Stephen Caruso: More Diverse Candidates On The Ballot For Harrisburg, But Latinos Are Largely Left out — WESA: University Of Pittsburgh Fears Loss Of State Funding, Attacks On Fetal Tissue Issues With Redistricting — […]

The special hotel room block is over 80 percent full for the PPA Summer Leadership Conference on June 12-14 at the ICONA in Avalon, NJ! The Pennsylvania Petroleum Association is excited to again bring together current and future leaders within our industry. Click Here to view the Conference schedule. To register, visit the PPA Summer […]

The Biden Administration announced last week it is lifting the ban on summertime sales of gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol. The move is part of the administration’s larger plan to lower the price of gasoline ahead of the midterm elections. EMA has repeatedly warned both the EPA and the White House of the limitations involving […]

The USDA announced last week it will provide new funding under the Higher Blend Infrastructure Program (HBIP) to help gasoline retailers and distributors to upgrade infrastructure for the distribution of higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel. USDA is earmarking $5.6 million in grants to seven states designed to expand the retail availability of higher blend […]

Last week, the House and Senate left Washington, DC for a two-week recess period. While members are spending the weeks campaigning in the district, many are preparing for what the remainder of this year’s legislative session may hold. A priority for many Republicans and Democrats is passing the U.S. – China Innovation and Competition Act […]

Recently, U.S. Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) introduced bipartisan legislation to address the current truck driver shortage in the United States by establishing a refundable income tax credit for qualified commercial truck drivers. “The Strengthening Supply Chains Through Truck Driver Incentives Act” would create a new refundable tax credit of up to […]

Last week, Rep. Andy Levin (D-MI) introduced “The Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act” that would repeal the motor carrier overtime exemption in the Fair Labor Standards Act. The legislation aligns with DOT’s recent recommendation that Congress eliminate the exemption because “employers are not required to pay overtime to many truck drivers.” Click Here for the […]

On March 15, 2022, President Biden signed H.R. 2471 – the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2022. As a result, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) now includes specific language that makes clear the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can, as of March 15, regulate tobacco products containing nicotine from any source. This […]

Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else– — Governor’s Race — PennLive – Jan Murphy: F&M Poll Shows Mastriano Leading PA’s Packed Republican Gubernatorial Primary — PennLive – Charles Thompson: F&M Poll Shows Republican Governor’s Race Still Unsettled — Inquirer: Republican Sen. Corman Staying In Republican Race For Governor After Moving To Drop […]

The Pennsylvania Oil Marketers PAC (POMPAC), the political affiliate of the Pennsylvania Petroleum Association, has announced their formal endorsement of Jamie Barton’s state representative campaign for the 124th Legislative District. The political action committee represents 400+ petroleum and energy stakeholders throughout the Commonwealth. Jamie Barton currently serves on the Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Board of Directors […]

PPA would like to highlight the following new members joining the association in March. Active Members Active Members are independent branded and non-branded petroleum marketers who sell gasoline, heating oil, diesel fuel, kerosene, and other petroleum products at both the wholesale and retail levels, including convenience stores. N/A in March Retail Convenience Store Operator This […]

On April 7, the Department of Environmental Protection appealed the April 6 Commonwealth Court order blocking publication of the final regulation establishing a Carbon Pollution Reduction Program covering power plants consistent with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to the PA Supreme Court.             The question presented to the PA Supreme Court for review is “Did […]

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA) online portal for annual HAZMAT registration opens May 1, 2022. Registration renewals must be completed by July 1, 2022. Due to COVID-19 workplace restrictions and processing delays, marketers should register online this year and do so early. However, registrations submitted before May 1, […]

Just a reminder, responses are due April 15 to PPA’s member survey on Bioheat Adoption.  The purpose of the survey is to help the PPA better understand your position on current and future biodiesel (Bioheat®) heating fuel adoption strategies within the state of Pennsylvania.             Click Here to take the survey. Survey Background In January […]

As Congressional Democrats continue searching for ways to address high gas prices, the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing with major oil company CEOs where Committee Democrats largely accused the companies of price-gouging. Oil company representatives pushed back against this narrative, arguing that prices are set by the global futures markets and that […]

Last week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit delivered a victory for proponents of holding major oil companies liable for the effects of climate change. Cities and counties have instituted lawsuits all over the Nation like the one filed by the City of Baltimore, seeking to shift the burden of dealing with […]

Recently, EMA and the Family Business Coalition sent a letter to President Biden and the House and Senate Tax Committee chairs arguing against taxing unrealized capital gains. Taxing unrealized gains in any form, subjecting more families to the estate tax, changing step-up in basis, and removing important tools that family businesses use for succession planning […]

Visa Inc. and Mastercard Inc. are planning numerous changes to allow larger card transactions to help drivers cover their expenses at the pump. To minimize the damage of already excessively high swipe fees, many gas stations have a $125 limit for Visa transactions at the pump because the card company adds even more fees to […]

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating the safety of EV and hybrid vehicle batteries made by LG Energy Solution of South Korea. Since February 2020, General Motors, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Stellantis and Volkswagen have issued recalls for as many as 138,000 vehicles with possible defects that could cause fires. General Motors has taken […]

In this time of heightened risk due to the war in Ukraine, CISA urges lowering the threshold for sharing information to raise our collective resilience to global cyber threats. Sharing information about cyber incidents allows CISA to fill critical information gaps, rapidly deploy resources and render assistance to victims suffering attacks, analyze incoming information from […]

Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else– — Governor’s Race — AP: Republican Energy Promises Face Limits In PA Governor’s Race — Politics PA: Spending In PA Governor’s Race Tops $12.6 Million — PennLive – Jan Murphy: PA Governor’s Race Spending Total Nears $11 Million — Post-Gazette – Salena Zito: Republican Candidates For […]

On March 30, the House voted 126 to 72 to pass House Bill 637 (Struzzi-R-Indiana) designed to block the final DEP regulation establishing a Carbon Pollution Reduction Program covering power plants that’s consistent with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.             The vote total is not enough to override a Governor’s veto, which happened to a […]

Legislation that would amend Pennsylvania liquor law to give smaller convenience stores fairer access to beer licenses has been introduced. Rep. Tim O’Neal (R-Washington) has sponsored House Bill 2467, strongly supported by PPA, that would create a new C-license system. This would eliminate the current requirement that a store have 30 seats for customers as […]

The PPA is excited to continue our monthly webinar series in April. Register below to take advantage of this complimentary membership benefit. — April 5 – 9:00 a.m.: State of the Union on Payments: How to Make Sure You are Receiving the Best Rates on Your Payment Acceptance.  Click Here to register. Things have changed […]

On March 31, President Biden announced several actions to improve energy security.  First, to increase oil supply and seek to reduce the price at the pump, President Biden announced that the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) will release 1 million gallons of oil per day for six months. Experts have pointed out that the SPR action […]

The Biden administration on Wednesday announced plans to spend roughly $3.2 billion to retrofit hundreds of thousands of homes in low-income communities in order to slash residential energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions.             Pennsylvania is due to receive $186 million in this round.  Read more here. The unprecedented 10-fold increase in annual funding for […]

According to the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Annual Energy Outlook 2022 (AEO2022), it projects that renewable diesel supply will exceed biodiesel supply in the near term. EIA projects that renewable diesel supply will increase to 130,000 barrels per day (b/d) in 2022 and 145,000 b/d in 2050, reflecting a significant increase in renewable diesel production […]

A trade group representing the major domestic and foreign automobile manufacturers filed a motion supporting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in a lawsuit currently before the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals challenging the agency’s strict new limits on greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles. [NOTE: On Friday, the Biden Administration announced a new mileage […]

Forty-three lawmakers from both parties sent a letter on Wednesday to the federal Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requesting the agency investigate, and when appropriate, bring enforcement actions against economic discriminatory action that violates antitrust laws, including the FTC Act and the Robinson-Patman Act. “The antitrust laws were designed to protect against anticompetitive economic discrimination and […]

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA), an alliance of state and federal motor carrier enforcement authorities, holds its annual Operation Safe Driver Week during July 10-16. The Operation Safe Driving Program was created to improve the driving behaviors of CDL drivers and reduce the number of crashes involving commercial motor vehicles through educational and traffic […]

On Thursday, EMA joined a coalition letter in urging the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to lift its April 2020 non-enforcement directive that allowed food trucks to operate at Interstate rest areas. Click Here to read the letter. TAP HERE for all articles in April 4 EXPRESS Update

As the U.S. House Financial Services Committee reviews overdraft fees that impact consumers, the Merchants Payments Coalition (MPC) sent a letter to the Committee requesting that it review outrageous credit card swipe fees. EMA is a member of the Merchants Payments Coalition (MPC). MPC asked the committee to investigate “the broken and uncompetitive market in […]

Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else– — New Voting Districts – Senate, House, Congressional — Spotlight PA: PA Republicans Eye Greater Control Over Redistricting Thru Another Constitutional Amendment — AP: Republican Challenge To PA Congressional Districts Map Lawsuit Ends Quietly — MCall – Ford Turner: Redrawn Districts, Incumbent Battle Highlight Primary Lehigh […]

Registration is now open for Eastern Energy Expo which will return in-person this year May 22 – 25, 2022 at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT.             The Pennsylvania Petroleum Association is a proud sponsor of this event. The discounted hotel room block is quickly filling up and will most likely reach full capacity prior to […]

On March 26, the final Environmental Quality Board regulations making changes to Stage I and II volatile organic compound emission controls on underground gasoline storage tanks were published in the PA Bulletin and are now effective. PA DEP will now begin its program to remove the vapor capturing apparatus now in place in most gasoline […]

With the high price of gasoline intensifying as a political issue in recent weeks, there is discussion in Harrisburg regarding proposals to lessen their impact on consumers. Senate President Jake Corman (also a candidate for the GOP nomination for Governor) has introduced Senate Bill 10. This legislation would reduce motor fuel taxes by 20 cents […]

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has released the annual minimum employee random drug and alcohol testing rates for 2022. The test rates are the minimum percentage of employees subject to U.S. DOT drug and alcohol requirements who must undergo a random test during the 2022 calendar year. The number of random drug tests […]

Last week, Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) more clearly articulated his vision of a scaled-back Build Back Better Act (BBB). This bill would not receive Republican support, so it would have to be passed through a process called reconciliation that would require the support of all 50 Senate Democrats. Senator Manchin and fellow moderate Senator Kyrsten […]

The Biden Administration is providing nearly $5 billion to help states create a network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations along designated corridors in the national highway system. Charging stations will not be placed on federal highways, but located at entrance ramps. The program is designed as part of the President’s goal to build 500,000 […]

Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else– — New Voting Districts – Senate, House, Congressional — Spotlight PA: What Makes A Voting District Map Fair? Here’s What We Learned During PA’s Redistricting Cycle — WHYY: PA Latinos Want More Lawmakers From Their Communities, New Voting District Maps Offer That Chance — WESA/AP: PA […]

Discussion of a gas tax suspension continues in Harrisburg as other states have enacted measures to provide breaks to motorists. On Friday, a thirty day gas tax moratorium took effect in Maryland. In Georgia, the Governor has signed into law a suspension of the collection of that state’s motor fuel taxes until the end of […]

The purpose of this survey is to help the PPA better understand your position on current and future biodiesel (Bioheat®) heating fuel adoption strategies within the state of Pennsylvania. Please limit one survey response per company.             Click Here to take the survey. Survey Background In January 2019 Governor Wolf signed an Executive Order to […]

The Pennsylvania Petroleum Association is a proud partner of the Eastern Energy Expo which will return in-person this year May 22 – 25, 2022 at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT. Attendee registration will be opening soon for the event. The discounted hotel room block is quickly filling up and will most likely reach full capacity […]

On Tuesday, President Biden signed the Fiscal Year 2022 government funding package into law. The law fully funds government agencies and will provide the funding for implementation of key Biden Administration priorities, including provisions from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.             Synthetic Nicotine The law also includes language that will allow the FDA to regulate synthetic […]

The Biden Administration opened the door to a possible summertime E15 waiver after a bipartisan group of lawmakers called on the White House to lift the ban of summer sales of gasoline with higher blends of ethanol. The White House confirmed that a move to year-round sales of E15 is “in the menu of options” […]

A landmark provision authored by Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rob Portman (R-OH), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, to enhance our nation’s ability to combat ongoing cybersecurity threats against critical infrastructure has been signed into law as a part of the government funding legislation that passed this week. […]

Last week, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released a joint Cybersecurity Advisory to warn organizations that Russian state-sponsored cyber actors have gained network access through exploitation of default multi-factor authentication (MFA) protocols and a known vulnerability. One of the most important security practices to reduce the […]

Congressional House Democrats spearheaded by leaders on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee are up in arms over the decision of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to replace its fleet with almost all gasoline powered trucks. Democrats have asked the USPS’s inspector general to investigate the decision, asserting that USPS violated legal environmental requirements. […]

Federated Insurance is offering complimentary risk management training for petroleum marketers on April 19-21, 2022. Through this valuable session, you will discover methods you can use immediately to help protect profits by reducing risk at your business. Companies that are the most successful at controlling losses and protecting profits have integrated risk management into their […]

Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else– — New Voting Districts – Senate, House, Congressional — AP: PA Supreme Court Upholds Voting District Maps For Senate, House — Spotlight PA: PA Supreme Court Rejects Challenges To State House, Senate Voting District Maps — PA Cap-Star: PA’s New House, Senate Voting District Maps OK’d […]

The Pennsylvania Petroleum Association is excited to again bring together current and future leaders within our industry at the Summer Leadership Conference. This year’s event will take place at the ICONA in Avalon, NJ. We hope to see you in June! ?Conference registration includes access to the June 12 welcome reception, business seminars, breakfast, and […]

In response to the spike in motor fuel prices over the last two weeks, there have been proposals by some policy makers to suspend the collection of gas taxes to provide relief to motorists. Governor Tom Wolf signed onto a letter with five other Governors urging Congress to enact legislation that would suspend collection of […]

Last week, as Russian aggression in Ukraine increased, President Biden announced a ban on imports of Russian oil, gas, and coal. In remarks to the country, President Biden said the White House knows that this will likely raise gas prices, blamed Russia for the increase, and committed to doing everything to reduce this trend, mentioning […]

PriMedia: Fuel Markets Are in Crisis. Here’s What You Should and Shouldn’t Say to Your Customers. Your customers are shocked, confused, enraged, struggling and looking to you for answers and assistance. Every consumer is different, and your customers’ emotions may run the gamut, but it’s most important right now that you at least have some […]

Seventy percent of Americans support the ban on Russian oil imports regardless of the rising fuel costs. However, some Americans are falsely directing blame to gas station owners for increased prices at the pump. Rob Underwood, President of the Energy Marketers of America (EMA), said, “blaming gas station owners for high gas prices is nonsense. […]

A recent survey published by the National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC) outlines the extent of the CDL driver shortage problem as it applies to the transportation of petroleum products. According to the survey, over a two-year period beginning in May 2019, the industry experienced a 41.6 percent reduction in petroleum driver applicants, along with a […]

The Federation of Tax Administrators, an association of all 50 state and territorial tax authorities, recently published its annual list of state motor fuel excise taxes updated to January 2022. In addition to listing state motor fuel excise taxes for gasoline, diesel fuel and gasohol, the list includes notations on the various surcharges, fees, sales […]

Last week, Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) released a policy outline detailing how the U.S. can reset its energy and climate policy and create a global Russia-free energy future. Cassidy, a member of the Senate Energy and Finance Committees, called for an Energy Operation Warp Speed to reestablish America’s energy dominance. “The world will be […]

Women In Energy is now accepting nominations for two annual awards– the 5th Annual Woman of the Year Award and the 4th Annual Women In Energy Mentorship Award. Woman Of The Year Each year, Women in Energy recognizes an outstanding woman in the energy field. We invite industry professionals to submit nominations. The award recipient […]

Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else– — New Voting Districts – Senate, House, Congressional — AP: Divided PA Supreme Court Picks New Congressional Voting Districts Map — PA Cap-Star: PA’s New Congressional Voting Districts Map Is Reflective Of State’s Voters, PA Supreme Court Justices Argued — Spotlight PA: 4 Reasons The PA […]

PPA would like to highlight the following new members joining the association in February. Active Members Active Members are independent branded and non-branded petroleum marketers who sell gasoline, heating oil, diesel fuel, kerosene, and other petroleum products at both the wholesale and retail levels, including convenience stores. — Friday Gas and Oil (Weedville, PA): Retail […]

There are two active FMCSA driver hours of service (HOS) waivers that impact our membership. The waiver for heating fuels is set to expire on March 8, 2022. The waiver that covers most transportation fuels has recently been extended through May 31, 2022. More information on the two waivers can be found below. Heating Fuels […]

The PPA staff is in the process of compiling information for this year’s membership directory. To ensure accuracy of your directory information, please check your listing in all sections of the current directory which can be found here. Please email Jessica Reeder at jreeder@papetroleum.org or call (717) 939-1781, ext. 104, to confirm your company information […]

On Monday, the Energy Marketers of America (EMA) asked the federal appeals court in Washington, D.C. to review the Environmental Protection Agency’s December 2021 final rule that increases the stringency of greenhouse gas emissions for model year 2023-2026 cars and light-duty vehicles by significant percentages. EPA is ostensibly using EPA’s tailpipe emissions standards to phase […]

The U.S. Department of Transportation published a notice of proposed rulemaking allowing oral fluid drug testing for CDL drivers and other HAZMAT employees. According to the DOT, the addition of oral fluid drug testing will help combat employee cheating on urine drug tests and provide a more economical, less intrusive means of achieving the safety […]

Last week, EMA submitted more detailed comments in opposition to the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Tentative Interim Amendment (TIA) regulating the placement of EV charging stations at gas stations. The setback requirements in the proposed standard are so restrictive that it could prevent the installation of EV chargers at most existing retail gas stations. […]

In response to the Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, EMA sent a letter to President Biden seeking greater energy independence. The letter urges the President to reconsider his position regarding the cancellation of the Keystone XL Pipeline (KXL). KXL is important for American fuel independence, and even more so now with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. KXL […]

Last week, President Joe Biden delivered his first State of the Union address. He spent the first twelve minutes pledging America’s support for Ukraine, which received strong bipartisan applause. In addressing energy prices, which have spiked due to Russia’s invasion, President Biden announced that the U.S. and allies would release a combined 60 million barrels […]

Recently, the U.S. Senate passed the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021 (H.R. 4445). The bill passed the House last month and the President is expected to sign it into law. The legislation was introduced by Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and by Reps. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) […]

Last week, the Merchants Payments Coalition (MPC), of which EMA is a member, announced an advertising campaign to educate Congress and other policymakers on high “swipe” fees credit card networks and big banks charge merchants to process transactions and the impact the fees have on consumers, small businesses and the U.S. economy. The campaign comes […]

Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else– — New Voting Districts – Senate, House, Congressional — Spotlight PA: A Complete Guide To PA’s Redistricting Court Challenges — AP: U.S. Supreme Court Asked To Intervene In PA Congressional Voting Districts Case — WHYY: Will U.S. Supreme Court Wade Into The Battle Over PA Congressional […]

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On February 25, Senate Republicans filed a motion with Commonwealth Court to intervene in opposition to the DEP lawsuit against the Legislative Reference Bureau to publish the final Carbon Pollution Reduction regulations covering power plants consistent with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. The motion was filed by Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman (R-Centre), Senate […]

Senator Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-Bedford), Senator Joe Pittman (R-Indiana) and Senator Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) announced their intent to introduce a resolution urging President Biden to restart the Keystone XL pipeline. This week, oil prices soared over $100 per barrel and currently, the United States imports over 800,000 barrels of oil per day from Russia. The […]

EPCRA TIER II forms must be submitted no later than March 1, 2022. The Emergency Preparedness and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) of 1986 was created to help communities plan for chemical emergencies. All facilities that store over 10,000 pounds of hazardous chemicals (including petroleum products) onsite at any point during the previous calendar […]

Last week, Washington quickly turned its focus towards Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which sent oil prices soaring over $100/barrel. Retaliatory sanctions announced by President Biden on Thursday did not target Russia’s energy sector, reportedly at the request of European allies, including Germany and Italy, who are worried about potential effects on their own economies. More […]

Last week, EMA’s Motor Fuels Committee Chair Glenn Hasken, chief operating officer and vice president of Molo Companies, represented EMA during a retailer’s roundtable on the future of liquid fuels at the National Ethanol Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. Participating alongside Mr. Hasken were Eric Fobes, Head Trader, Ethanol, Pilot Company, SIGMA, NATSO, and Doug […]

Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else– — New Voting Districts – Senate, House, Congressional — AP: PA Supreme Court Picks New Map Of Congressional Voting Districts — PennLive: New Congressional Districts Map Has Keller, Meuser Vying For Same Seat — Inquirer: Is New Congressional Districts Map Better For Democrats or Republicans?  We […]

The Pennsylvania Petroleum Association is excited to again bring together current and future leaders within our industry at the 2022 PPA Summer Leadership Conference on June 13-14 at the ICONA in Avalon, NJ. The theme of the 2022 leadership conference will be achieving high performance leadership. Two major trends that have emerged in the past […]

The Pennsylvania Petroleum Association is pleased to share that one of our members, Jamie Barton, has announced a campaign to pursue the Republican nomination for a seat in the state House. Jamie is the Vice President of Jack Rich, Inc. and is a long time PPA member who currently serves on the PPA Board of […]

Thursday, Congress passed a Continuing Resolution extending government funding until March 11, 2022, giving Congress only a few weeks to resolve negotiations. As a reminder, a Continuing Resolution continues existing government funding at Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 levels. It is critical that Congress pass an FY 2022 package to fully fund portions of the Bipartisan […]

On Wednesday, the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee held a hearing focused on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). This was the first EPW hearing on the RFS since 2016 and comes as the EPA proposes to increase biofuel blending requirements. During the hearing, Senators expressed frustration over the Biden Administration’s handling of the […]

The director of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) told the U.S. Senate Finance Committee at a hearing on IRS customer complaints this week that in fiscal year 2021, the IRS paid $3.27 billion dollars in interest payments to taxpayers due to delayed processing of refund claims. The amount of interest paid by the IRS is […]

The Biden administration is preparing to reinstate California’s authority to set auto emissions rules that are more stringent than federal standards. California’s regulatory authority over mobile emissions was rescinded by the Trump Administration in 2019. Restoration of regulatory authority over automobile emissions represents a return of California’s influence on the nation’s climate and clean air […]

The Berks-Schuylkill Oil Heat Association donated a total contribution of $6,100 to both the Berks and Schuylkill County Salvation Army on February 17 with each Corps receiving half of the total donation. Since 2006, this is the second largest annual donation BSOHA has presented to the Salvation Army. The BSOHA annual charitable contribution has directly […]

Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else– — New Voting Districts – Senate, House, Congressional — AP: House Republican Leader Asks PA Supreme Court To Throw Out House Voting District Map — PA Cap-Star: House Republicans Ask Court To Toss House Voting District Map, Reuse Current Lines In 2022 — MCall –  Ford […]

On February 10, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced Pennsylvania will receive the first $25.3 million from an estimated $171.5 million over the next five years to invest in electric vehicle charging stations along previously designated Alternative Fuel Corridors and Interstate lookalikes. The funding is from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. PennDOT and DEP – […]

There was a significant development this past week in regard to the RGGI. The House Appropriations Committee added an amendment to House Bill 637 that would provide $250 million for carbon capture technology and other control measures to address emissions from coal-fired power plants. This bill, which is being held in the Committee to provide […]

Congress is expected to pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) extending government funding through March 11. Meanwhile, it appears both sides have reached a baseline agreement to finalize a full government funding package so that many of the programs authorized in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law can be fully funded. As of now, government funding expires on […]

EMA is receiving reports from energy marketers that they are once again experiencing delays in the processing of federal motor fuel excise tax (FET) ultimate vendor claims for sales of clear, tax excluded diesel fuel to state and local governments. In response, EMA sent a letter this week to IRS Commissioner Charles P. Rettig expressing […]

Last Wednesday, U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced legislation that would suspend the 18.3 cpg federal excise tax on gasoline and 0.1 cpg leaking underground trust fund (LUST) tax through the end of 2022. “The Gas Prices Relief Act,” S. 3609, could prove popular during an election year. S. 3609 would […]

Races in Pennsylvania, Arizona, Georgia and Florida will determine the future of emissions reduction pledges and will establish key administrators within their state energy offices and utility regulators, according to Energy News Network. The governors will influence how to use the funding in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which includes money for electric vehicle […]

Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else– — PA’s Role In Assault On U.S. Capitol — LancasterOnline: Ex-Ephrata Lawyers’ Statement He Would Kill Democratic U.S. Senators Allowed By Judge — ScrantonT: Lackawanna County Man Charged With Crimes Related To Assault On U.S. Capitol Rejects Plea Deal, Plans For Trial — New Voting Districts […]

On February 3, the Associated Press reported the Department of Environmental Protection filed a lawsuit in Commonwealth Court to compel the Legislative Reference Bureau to publish the final RGGI Carbon Pollution Reduction Regulations covering power plants in the PA Bulletin so they can become effective.             The lawsuit is a follow-up to Gov. Wolf’s January […]

PPA would like to highlight the following new members joining the association in January.  Active Members Active Members are independent branded and non-branded petroleum marketers who sell gasoline, heating oil, diesel fuel, kerosene, and other petroleum products at both the wholesale and retail levels, including convenience stores. N/A in January Retail Convenience Store Operator This […]

The PPA Political Action Committee would like to recognize POMPAC contributions from the following individuals in January: — Platinum Supporter: James Barber and Jason Flohr — Gold Supporter: N/A — Silver Supporter: Quincy Longacre*, Steve Oehlert*, Ted Harris*, and Timothy Naylor — Bronze Supporter: Mark Smith* — Supporter: Andrew Myers and David Karl  *Denotes the […]

Monday, February 7, 2022, is the compliance date for the FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations, established in 49 CFR part 380 subparts F and G. The ELDT regulations include requirements for training providers, CDL applicants, and State Driver Licensing Agencies. Visit the Training Provider Registry for more information and make sure you are ready […]

FMCSA has just extended the Regional Emergency Declaration waiver which provides motor carriers and drivers with direct assistance in supporting emergency relief efforts transporting heating fuel, including propane, natural gas, and heating oil, into the Affected States with emergency relief from 49 CFR § 395.3, maximum driving time for property-carrying vehicles. This waiver was originally […]

Last  week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it would soon issue regulations codifying its plan announced in 2021 to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. In Congress, the House focused on passing the US COMPETES Act, legislation to support US research and development and supply chain security to compete with China. The other […]

Friday, EMA sent comments to the EPA on its proposed ethanol blending mandates for 2020-2022 urging EPA to fully consider the impact the RFS places on small business energy marketers when setting the upcoming annual RVOs for 2020, 2021 and 2022. EMA said, “If ethanol volumes continue to rise as proposed in 2022, obligated parties […]

Last week, House Democrats introduced the “COVID-19 Price Gouging Prevention Act” (H.R.675) that outlaws “price gouging” during a “public health emergency” declared under federal law. Price gouging is defined as opportunistic behavior by sellers who take advantage of an emergency to raise prices of goods “unreasonably” to “unconscionably excessive” levels. All goods are covered by […]

Last fall, Congress approved, and the President signed into law, a $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law– the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The IIJA provides $7.5 billion in funding for states to deploy an Electric Vehicle Formula Program (EV Charging Program) with a $2.5 billion set aside for a competitive grant program to build […]

U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) introduced a bill to help address supply chain shortages and increase the number of truck drivers transporting goods in the U.S. Their bill, the Licensing Individual Commercial Exam-takers Now Safely and Efficiently (LICENSE) Act, would streamline burdensome licensing regulations by making permanent several waivers that the […]

On February 3, the National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA) announced the appointment of Michael Devine as incoming President following the retirement of current President John Huber effective March 1, 2022. Devine comes to NORA after having served as Vice President of Sales & Business Development for World Energy. As part of the Senior Management Team, […]

Industry Association Rebrands to Reflect Diversity of Fuels, Modern Approach The National Biodiesel Board today unveiled its new name and new brand, Clean Fuels Alliance America, during the opening session of the 2022 National Biodiesel Conference & Expo. The transformation to Clean Fuels helps further the organization’s position as a proven, innovative part of America’s […]

Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else– — 2022 Priorities — Spotlight PA: Gov. Wolf’s Final Budget Address Will Seek To Cement His Legacy — AP: What To Watch For In Gov. Wolf’s Budget Proposal — Gov. Wolf Announces $1.7 Billion Spending Plan For Federal American Rescue Plan Money — PennLive – Jan […]

The Energy Choice legislation (House Bill 1947) passed the state House this past week by a vote of 118-83. That is significantly short of the 134 votes needed to override a veto by the Governor who previously indicated that he would take that action for the current version of the bill.             The bill preempts […]

On January 26, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission unanimously approved final Environmental Quality Board regulations establishing the process for decommissioning Stage II VOC emission controls at service stations. The DEP regulation applies to the five-county Philadelphia area– Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties– and the seven- county Pittsburgh area–  Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, […]

EMA has received an increasing number of calls from CDL drivers who are experiencing delays in processing security background checks required for hazardous material endorsements (HME). EMA reached out to TSA to inquire whether the delays are significant enough to warrant a temporary waiver of the Security Threat Assessment (STA) similar to the waiver granted […]

On January 29, 2022 the final rulemaking was published in the PA Bulletin to officially delete Chapter 55 of PA Code 67. This will now eliminate the need for trucks that operate at weights greater than 5,000 pounds to display a registration class sticker and replace a registration class sticker when stolen, damaged or destroyed. […]

Employers of CDL drivers are required to conduct an annual drug and alcohol violation query in the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse for each CDL driver they employ. Employers are only required to make a “limited query” to check for drug and alcohol violations for these drivers. Only if a violation is found must the […]

OSHA has withdrawn its COVID-19 vaccination and testing emergency temporary standard (ETS) for employers with 100 or more employees. The withdrawal went into effect Wednesday. The agency also has filed a motion with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, asking the appeals court to dismiss the pending, consolidated legal challenges to the […]

EMA submitted a “no” vote on a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Temporary Interim Standard (TIA) regulating the placement of EV charging stations at motor fuel dispensing stations. The setback requirements in the proposed standard are so restrictive that it could prevent the installation of EV chargers at most existing retail gasoline stations. The proposed […]

After consideration beginning in April 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is moving forward with plans to ban menthol cigarettes. The FDA announced on January 28 that it would issue two proposed rules, one prohibiting menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes and another prohibiting all characterizing flavors (including menthol) in cigars—by spring. The […]

The Fuel Institute released a new report titled Life Cycle Analysis Comparison – Electric and Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles. The report provides an evaluation of the life-cycle costs and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEV), hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), and battery electric vehicles (BEV). The GHG life cycle includes vehicle manufacturing, […]

A new analysis from McKinsey & Co. estimates that the investment, in new infrastructure and systems, needed to meet international climate goals could be $9.2 trillion a year annually through 2050. That’s at least $3.5 trillion more a year than the world is currently laying out for both low-carbon and fossil-fuel infrastructure and changes in […]

The Internal Revenue Service is warning taxpayers to expect significant delays in the processing of tax returns during 2022 according to a new report to Congress by the IRS’s Taxpayer Advocate. The warning applies to all filings, including those related to federal motor fuel excise tax (FET) and biodiesel blender claims. Energy marketers have been […]

Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else– — 2022 Priorities — WITF: Republican Budget Chiefs Want PA’s Plethora Of Pandemic-Era Cash Used ‘Judiciously’ — Governor’s Budget Address Feb. 8 — PA’s Role In Assault On U.S. Capitol — AP: U.S. House Committee Investigating Assault On U.S. Capitol Subpoenas 2 Fake 2020 Republican Electors […]

PPA encourages you to participate in a committee this year. Your voice will help shape the direction of the association on important topics and initiatives. PPA Committees — Convention Committee: Assist the association in coordinating the various conferences that take place throughout the year as well as the annual membership meeting. The committee will provide […]

At the January 20 meeting of DEP’s Drive Electric Pennsylvania Coalition, a presentation was made by PennDOT regarding the plan being developed by the Commonwealth to distribute the several hundred million dollars coming to the state for electric vehicle infrastructure rebates pursuant to the recently enacted federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The priority of these grants […]

On January 24, the House Liquor Control Committee will conduct a public hearing on House Bill 2272 sponsored by Rep. Natalie Mihalek (R-Allegheny) that seeks to abolish the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Commission by amending the state constitution. If passed by the General Assembly in two separate legislative years, the question would then go on the […]

Lawmakers departed Washington Friday with a recess scheduled for this week and Democrats reeling from a lack of progress on voting rights and filibuster reform. As for the latest on the stalled Build Back Better (BBB) Act – Democrats’ $1.75 trillion climate change, tax, health care, and education package – President Biden said that Congress […]

The FMCSA issued a final rule that allows certain CDL drivers with otherwise disqualifying visual acuity and field of vision conditions the chance to maintain their CDL medical qualification under a new alternative vision standard. Currently, drivers with visual acuity and field of vision deficiencies are prohibited from driving CMVs in interstate commerce unless they […]

The Emergency Preparedness and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) of 1986 was created to help communities plan for chemical emergencies. EPCRA requires facilities to report each year on the storage, use and release of hazardous chemicals (including petroleum products) during the previous calendar year. Typically, Tier II reports are filed with the state or […]

On January 13, 2022 Visa and Mastercard reminded retailers that the plan that was originally set for 2020 but delayed because of the pandemic, will take place this April – an increase of 0.5 percent in retailer fees. Bloomberg estimates that when Visa and Mastercard increase their fees by 0.5 percent, expect the merchant fees […]

Remember to order your household’s 4 free Covid tests by going to: COVIDtests.gov – Free at-home COVID-19 tests. Tests will start shipping the week of January 24. To place an order, all you need is your name and residential address. No ID, credit card, or health insurance information is required.  You may also share your […]

Last week, Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) and Rep. Jammal Bowman (D-NY) introduced the “Heating and Cooling Relief Act,” which would increase LIHEAP funding to $40 billion per year through 2031 and expand eligibility from 150 percent of the poverty level to 250 percent. Unfortunately, the bill would allow states to use approximately one-third of LIHEAP […]

On Tuesday, ExxonMobil announced its “ambition” to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions for operated assets by 2050, backed by a comprehensive approach to develop detailed emission-reduction roadmaps for major facilities and assets. Click Here to read the Reuters article. TAP HERE for all articles in January 24 EXPRESS Update

Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else– — 2022 Priorities — Gov. Wolf Highlights Strong Financial Position Of Commonwealth Going Into Next Budget  [He forgot to thank Biden & Congress for billions in federal aid]  — PA Cap-Star: Wolf Touts Multi-Billion State Surplus, But Projections Depict Gloomy Fiscal Future — TribLive: Wolf Joins […]

On January 10, Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed and disapproved Senate Concurrent Regulatory Review Resolution 1, which would have disabled the Commonwealth’s opportunity to enter the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and effectively achieve climate goals and reduce carbon emissions. The concurrent resolution is also procedurally defective, as the General Assembly failed to adopt it within […]

On January 13, in a 6 to 3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Biden administration from enforcing the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) COVID 19 vaccine or test requirements. The ruling effectively kills the vaccine or test rule for private employers. The OSHA rule required workers at businesses with more than […]

The Internal Revenue Service is warning taxpayers to expect significant delays in the processing of tax returns during 2022 according to a new report to Congress by the IRS’s Taxpayer Advocate. The warning applies to all filings including those related to federal motor fuel excise tax (FET) and biodiesel blender claims. Energy marketers have been […]

Last week, the U.S. House Agriculture Committee held a hearing discussing the implications of electric vehicle (EV) investments for rural America. Representatives from the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), Southern Company, General Motors (GM), Sheetz, and others participated. Lawmakers broadly argued that consumers – not government – should drive EV market incentives and noted the importance […]

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) last week announced calendar year 2022 minimum random drug and alcohol testing rates for CDL drivers and other hazardous material employees. The test rates are the minimum percentage of employees subject to U.S. DOT drug and alcohol requirements who must undergo a random test during the 2022 calendar […]

Last week EMA joined other organizations in a letter strongly supporting the apprenticeship pilot program contained in section 23022 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and urging the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) efforts to implement the program in a timely manner. However, we have concerns with requirements submitted by FMCSA to […]

Last week the U.S. Supreme Court denied a request to hear an appeal brought by the ethanol industry to allow the year-round sale of E15 gasoline blends. The Court’s action effectively ends the long running fight by the ethanol industry to permit year-round sales of E15 absent an amendment to the language of the Clean […]

EMA joined other business trade groups in a letter urging Congress and the Administration to end efforts to pass the multi-trillion-dollar tax increase included in the Build Back Better (BBB) bill and focus instead on the challenges confronting American families and businesses today – rising prices, labor shortages, and ongoing supply chain constraints. $500 billion […]

Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else– — 2022 Priorities — TribLive Guest Essay: Final Year Will Focus On Issues That Matter Most – Gov. Wolf — MCall Guest Essay: How We Helped Stabilize PA’s Economy During Pandemic – Sen. Browne (R) — PA’s Role In Jan. 6 Assault On U.S. Capitol — […]

Save the date for 2022 PPA conferences and events.  More details will be released in the upcoming months– — May 22-25: Eastern Energy Expo.  Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT — June 13-14: PPA Summer Leadership Conference. ICONA Avalon, Avalon, NJ — October 11: PPA & Women In Energy Golf Outing.  Hershey Country Club, Hershey — October […]

On January 7, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a regional driver hours of service (HOS) waiver for heating oil, propane and natural gas.  According to the FMCSA, the emergency is in response to winter storms and high demand resulting in decreased availability of heating fuel, including propane, natural gas, and heating oil, […]

PPA is excited to announce the return of our monthly webinar series! Here’s what’s on tap so far–. — February 1 – 9:00 a.m.: New FMCSA Requirements for CDL Entry-Level Drivers. This FMCSA change becomes effective February 7, 2022 and will impact all PPA members who transport fuel. — March 1 – 9:00 a.m.: Understanding […]

PennDOT, the PA Turnpike and the State Police are now actively using an Automated Highway Work Zone Speed Enforcement Program in order to improve worker safety and driver behaviors in highway work areas. Since 2020, they have set up automatic equipment in selected work zones to photograph license plates of vehicles going in excess of […]

The 2021 posting cycle for OSHA’s workplace injury and illness reporting rule begins on February 1, 2022 and runs through April 30. The OSHA injury and illness recording and posting requirements apply to most establishments (workplaces) with more than 10 employees. However, there are exemptions from recordkeeping for certain establishments such as gasoline stations. OSHA […]

Last week, EMA President Rob Underwood provided comments during an EPA public hearing regarding the proposed ethanol blending mandates for 2020-2022. Rob urged the EPA to fully consider the impact the RFS places on small business energy marketers when setting the upcoming annual RVOs for 2020, 2021 and 2022. “If ethanol volumes continue to rise […]

OSHA released a final emergency temporary standard (ETS) in November requiring employee COVID-19 vaccination or weekly testing at all employers with 100 or more employees. The ETS was stayed by a federal court last month which delayed the original December 5, 2021 compliance deadline. On Dec. 17, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals lifted […]

The Senate made no progress on the Build Back Better Act (BBB) in the first week back in session following Senator Manchin’s (D-WV) announcement that he could not support the current plan. While Senator Manchin affirmed that he agreed with Democratic leaders and the White House on certain aspects of the bill, including much of […]

— 2021 Year In Review — PennLive – Charles Thompson: 20 Pennsylvanians To Watch In 2022 — PA’s Role In Jan. 6 Assault On U.S. Capitol — Spotlight PA: Jan. 6 Assault On U.S. Capitol: A Complete Guide To What We Know About Pennsylvania’s Role — PA Cap-Star: Assault On U.S. Capitol Lays Bare PA […]

Click Here for a complete recap of advocacy and education activities. As the year comes to an end, we would like to express what an honor and privilege it is to represent the 400+ member companies who support our association. Your membership has a direct impact on our ability to advocate, educate, and inform on […]

PPA would like to highlight the following new members joining the association in December. Active Members:  Active Members are independent branded and non-branded petroleum marketers who sell gasoline, heating oil, diesel fuel, kerosene, and other petroleum products at both the wholesale and retail levels, including convenience stores. — N/A in December Retail Convenience Store Operator: […]

— 2021 Year In Review — TribLive: Looking Ahead To 2022: Pandemic Continues, Campaigns Heat Up, New Pittsburgh Mayor And More — PA Cap-Star: Top 5 Stories Of 2021 – PA Republican Cong. Kelly Came Closer Than You Think To Stealing The Election For Former President — WHYY: The Top Destination For Biden During His […]

PPA has several exciting advertising opportunities for members in 2022-23– Membership Directory             Please consider placing an advertisement in the 2022 – 2023 PPA membership directory. Our membership directory (both print and digital) is utilized by 400+ petroleum and energy professionals. Most of the individuals who receive the PPA membership directory are owners or key […]

Here’s a quick update on the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse–             Annual Queries – Are You Up-To-Date? Employers of CDL drivers must conduct a query in the Clearinghouse at least once per year for each CDL driver they employ (for more details on employer requirements, see 49 CFR?382.701). A limited query satisfies the annual […]

New York State took a major step forward on the path to net-zero emissions, when Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill phasing in a requirement for all heating oil sold in state to contain 20 percent biodiesel. Once fully implemented, the new law will reduce New York’s annual petroleum diesel consumption by approximately two hundred […]

Thursday, EMA sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation to extend the compliance deadline for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) rule. The ELDT rule establishes new knowledge and behind the wheel testing for new applicants who wish to obtain a CDL license for the first time […]

OSHA released a final emergency temporary standard (ETS) in November requiring employee COVID-19 vaccination or weekly testing at all employers with 100 or more employees. The ETS was stayed by a federal court last month which delayed the original December 5, 2021 compliance deadline. On Dec. 17, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals lifted […]

The U.S. Department of Energy released a new rule on Tuesday that revokes a rule finalized during the Trump Administration. Essentially, the Trump rule barred the Department of Energy from using different techniques in appliance designs to increase efficiency, such as venting changes. As a result, DOE could not proceed with a rulemaking to increase […]

In a move that surprised many in the Democratic party, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) said he could not support the current form of the Build Back Better Act (BBB) – President Biden’s partisan $1.75 trillion climate change, healthcare, and education package. The House passed the BBB in November on partisan lines, while the legislation […]

As a service, EMA published Federal motor fuel excise tax rates that include the 1/10th cpg non-refundable LUST tax imposed on both dyed and clear liquid fuel. There is no refund of the LUST tax. Tax exempt parties are required to pay the .001 cpg.             Click Here for a table of 2022 Federal Motor […]

On Monday, the Biden Administration released its final Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards (CAFE) to significantly tighten light truck and car fuel efficiency. The new efficiency standards will result in a 40-mpg requirement for light trucks and cars by 2026. By comparison, the Trump era CAFE standards required a 32-mpg efficiency requirement by 2026. Under […]

— New Voting Districts – Senate, House — Inquirer: Reapportionment Chair Mark Nordenberg On Drawing New Voting Districts, Republican Attacks And What Comes Next — Spotlight PA: PA Redistricting Maps: Search How To See Your Old, New Voting Districts — AP: PA Secretary Of State Issues Warnings To Lawmakers  Over Voting District Map Delays Affecting […]

On December 15, the House voted 130-70 to adopt a concurrent resolution to block final regulations limiting carbon dioxide pollution from power plants consistent with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.             However, the vote margin was not enough to achieve the two-thirds vote needed to override Gov. Wolf’s expected veto of the resolution.             That […]

The state House this past week advanced House Bill 1947 (O’Neal-R-Washington) that would preempt municipalities from enacting local ordinances that would regulate or prohibit energy use in their jurisdictions. The legislation, also known as the Ban the Ban bill, was introduced in the House by Representative Tim O’Neal (R-Washington) in October. Last week the bill […]

PPA has been working on a legislative proposal that would give convenience store operators easier access to acquire licenses to sell beer. Rep. Tim O’Neal (R-Washington) has drafted a bill that would create a C Store License category in the Liquor Code. This past week, he officially circulated a co-sponsorship memo to all members of […]

Earlier this month, Rep Jeff Wheeland (R-Lycoming ) introduced legislation that would establish in state law the legality of skill games. House Bill 2133 would create licensee and tax requirements for the operation of the games. Skill games currently have been operating in the state because of two county court decisions which held that skill […]

The Biden Administration on Thursday announced a comprehensive plan to address the nationwide shortage of qualified CDL drivers. The Action Plan to Strengthen America’s Trucking Workforce takes several steps to speed up the CDL licensing process and recruit new drivers into the profession. The plan is part of a wider effort by the administration to […]

President Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) acknowledged last week that the Senate does not have the votes to approve the House-passed $1.75 trillion Build Back Better Act (BBB) before Christmas. Then, Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) told Fox News on Sunday morning that after five-and-half months of negotiations among Democrats in which he […]

On December 13, the Biden Administration released a federal strategy to build 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations across the country with the goal of bringing down the cost of electric vehicle ownership.             The funding comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which sets aside $5 billion for states to build the charging stations and provides […]

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued guidance last week clarifying that fee paid EV charging stations cannot be located within the interstate right of way (ROW), including rest areas. This is good news for energy marketers who have long fought against commercialization of rest areas. Commercialized rest areas siphon customers away from local gas stations […]

On December 16, NACS reported the California Air Resources Board has outlined a timeline for phasing out gasoline vehicle sales by 2035. According to the plan, zero-emission would make up 34 percent of sales in 2027, 43 percent in 2028, 51 percent in 2029, 61 percent  in 2030, 76 percent in 2031, 82 percent in […]

The Fuels Institute has recently completed an analysis of the life cycle carbon emissions for electric and combustion vehicles. The “Life Cycle Analysis Comparison – Electric and Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles,” report, due to be released in January 2022, looks at the carbon emissions from each phase in the life cycle of battery electric vehicles […]

Here are the Top 10 Stories From Harrisburg last week– — New Voting Districts – Senate, House — PA Cap-Star: 2022 PA Incumbent Retirement And Primary Tracker — PA Cap-Star: Reapportionment Panel Approves New Senate, House Voting District Maps That Leaves Incumbents In The Lurch — TribLive Editorial: Republicans Shouldn’t Overreact To New Proposed Senate, […]

The Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Board of Directors elected the following individuals to serve in the top leadership positions for the organization. The elections took place at the December 1, 2021 Board of Directors meeting held at the Hilton Harrisburg. The three (3) year officer terms will become effective on January 1, 2022 and expire on […]

The Department of Revenue has published a notice in the December 11 PA Bulletin announcing the Oil Company Franchise Tax Rate for 2022. For comparison purposes, Click Here for the PA Bulletin notice announcing the Oil Company Franchise Tax Rate for 2021. Click Here to compare the rate in previous years. TAP HERE for all […]

EMA put together a summary of Federal motor fuel excise tax rates that include the 1/10th cpg non-refundable LUST tax imposed on both dyed and clear liquid fuel. EMA noted there is no refund of the LUST tax. Tax exempt parties are required to pay the .001 cpg. Click Here to read the summary. TAP […]

Last week the Office of Attorney General approved the final DEP regulation allowing Pennsylvania to participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to reduce carbon pollution from power plants, in spite of comments raising serious concerns about the regulation by Josh Shapiro.             His Office said its review for “form and legality” prevents it from […]

On Tuesday, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced USDA intends to make up to $100 million available in new funds for grants for biofuels infrastructure, such as blender pumps which ensure biofuels have greater availability in the retail market.  The funding will provide grants to refueling and distribution facilities for cost of installation, […]

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued proposed RFS annual blending mandates this week that significantly lower renewable fuel (ethanol) volumes for 2021. The EPA is proposing to set the 2021 renewable fuel blending mandate at 13.3 billion gallons. Also, in an unprecedented move, the agency is proposing to retroactively reduce the 2020 renewable fuel (ethanol) […]

Last week, the U.S. Senate passed a Congressional Review Act to formally disapprove of President Biden’s vaccine mandate on private employers. The vote was 52-48, with Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Jon Tester (D-MT) joining all 50 Senate Republicans. The Senate legislation is largely symbolic as it is highly unlikely to pass the House. The […]

Biofuel proponents and several fuel marketer groups want more information from Congress on a proposed tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel. In a letter Thursday, the groups asked Congressional leaders to exclude fuels made by co-processing biomass with petroleum at oil refineries from the Sustainable Aviation fuel Credit. The group argues that doing so would […]

The U.S. Department of Justice last week filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court urging the Court to deny a request by ethanol producers to review a decision by a lower federal court earlier this year vacating EPA rule allowing for the year-round sale of E15. The controversial EPA rule issued in 2019, extended […]

The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) is forming the National Electric Highway Coalition which currently consists of 51 investor-owned electric companies, one electric cooperative and the Tennessee Valley Authority. The coalition aims to provide electric vehicle (EV) fast charging ports along major U.S. travel corridors by the end of 2023. Click Here for the story. TAP […]

Here are the Top 10 Stories From Harrisburg last week– — Drawing New Voting Districts — NextPittsburgh: House Expected To Vote On Proposed PA Congressional Redistricting Map Monday — Spotlight PA: See How The Proposed PA Congressional Voting District Map Scores In Every Key Area — AP: Lawmakers To Take First Steps Toward New Congressional […]

PPA would like to highlight the following new members joining the association in November.  Active Members Active Members are independent branded and non-branded petroleum marketers who sell gasoline, heating oil, diesel fuel, kerosene, and other petroleum products at both the wholesale and retail levels, including convenience stores. — Button Oil Company (Mountain Top, PA) — […]

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is extending a number of expiring nationwide regulatory waivers authorized under the March 13, 2020 presidential declaration of national emergency and the January 31, 2020 public health emergency issued in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Several of the extended regulatory waivers are beneficial to energy marketers and […]

Thursday, Congress reached an agreement to continue government funding at fiscal year 2021 levels through February 18, 2022.             No Senate Budget Action Meanwhile, the Senate has yet to focus in earnest on the House-passed Build Back Better Act (BBB) – President’s Biden’s $1.75 trillion tax-and-spend package covering the Administration’s priority issues including climate change, […]

According to Reuters, the U.S. EPA plans to publish its long awaited proposed Renewable Fuels Standard in a matter of days. The EPA is expected to reduce blending mandates for 2020 to 17.1 billion gallons and 18.6 billion gallons for 2021. The EPA delayed decisions on 2021 blending obligations by more than a year and […]

The recently enacted Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests in the deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure through a National Electric Vehicle Formula Program (EV Charging Program). The law provides funding to States to strategically deploy EV charging infrastructure and to establish an interconnected network to facilitate data collection, access, and reliability. Specifically, funds from the […]

The Fuels Institute’s Diesel Fuel Quality Council released the final report on the Diesel Fuel Sampling Study. The study sampled diesel fuel from 190 nozzles and 134 tanks at 119 retail and 15 non-retail fueling facilities throughout the US. Samples were analyzed for a variety of parameters important to fuel quality. T he report provides […]

PPA regrets to inform you of the passing of Kenneth E. Jones, President of the Reed Oil Company in New Castle, on November 2 at the age of 70.             Ken proudly served his country as a member of the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Era.             The things that mattered the most to Ken […]

Columbus, Ohio-based Husky Energy announced the availability of co-op and internship opportunities in Ohio and Wisconsin for the Spring, Summer and Fall Semesters in 2022.             The co-op/intern positions offer competitive wages, relocation assistance and the opportunity to work alongside industry leading professionals.             Preference will be given to students in the third or fourth […]

Here are the Top 10 Stories From Harrisburg last week– — Drawing New Voting Districts — WHYY: PA Lawmakers Prepare For A Month Of Intense Redistricting Negotiations — TribLive/Inquirer: Wolf Will Use Computer-Drawn Maps And Other Tools To Help Spot PA Gerrymandering — PA Cap-Star: Advocates Want More Diverse General Assembly; But Making That A […]

The Pennsylvania Petroleum Association is excited to introduce the Robert V. Boltz Scholarship Foundation! This newly established 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation was created to offer tuition assistance for individuals who will be enrolling into the PPATEC 10-week HVAC & Energy Professional Program. PPATEC plans to begin offering this gateway training program in July 2022 to encourage […]

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced updated guidance for COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program applicants to better serve small business owners in need, while funding remains available. The COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance programs still have billions of dollars available to help small businesses hard hit by […]

The 2022 edition of the National Conference on Weights and Measures’ Handbook 130 will include new requirements for inactive or obsolete engine oil service categories. The two key changes are as follows: The SAE J300 cautionary statement for obsolete American Petroleum Institute (API) service categories must appear on the front or forward-facing container label. It […]

The White House said on Tuesday it would release millions of barrels of crude oil available from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to help reduce rising oil prices. The national average for a gallon of gas is $3.41, which is $1.29 more than it was a year ago. Under the plan, the United States […]

On Friday, November 19, the House passed the Build Back Better Act – President Biden’s $1.75 trillion climate change, healthcare, and education package – by a vote of 220-213. The bill now moves to the Senate, which has an uncertain timetable. First, the Senate Parliamentarian will take meetings with Republican and Democratic Senators to review […]

Here are the Top 10 Stories From Harrisburg last week– — Flurry Of Constitutional Amendments — ABC27: Naked Power Grab?  PA Republican-Controlled Legislature Increasingly Pushing Constitutional Amendments To Get Their Way — PA Cap-Star Guest Essay: PA Republicans Attack On Executive Power Is An Undemocratic Attack On Our System Of Democracy – By Patrick Beaty […]

On November 16, the Environmental Quality Board voted to approve the final regulations making changes to Stage I and II volatile organic compound emission controls on underground gasoline storage tanks. The EQB voted 17-2 to approve the regulation. The representatives of the Republican Chairs of the Senate and House opposed the approval-later citing concerns regarding […]

The Montreal Gazette reported last week a regulation was adopted by the Provincial Government of Quebec banned heating oil systems in all new construction as of December 31 and the installation or replacement of a heating oil system will be banned as of December 31, 2023.  Quebec believes the measures it announced on Wednesday will […]

Last week the last three states in the Regional Transportation & Climate Initiative– Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island–  announced they were dropping out, leaving only the District of Columbia.             In December 2020, Pennsylvania decided not to sign on to the TCI initiative.  Read more here.             The TCI was intended to reduce the climate […]

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) announced the release of nearly $3.37 billion of Federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 regular block grant funding to Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) recipients.             Pennsylvania’s share is $182.8 million. States may use LIHEAP funds to help low-income households pay for heating and cooling […]

Friday morning, the U.S. House approved the $1.75 trillion Build Back Better Act (BBB), the second piece of President Biden’s legislative agenda that focuses on climate change, health care, education, and tax reform. Click Here to read an updated summary of provisions with changes from the original proposal highlighted. The House had planned to vote […]

Last Wednesday, President Biden asked the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate prices at the pump, suggesting illegal conduct by the oil industry is the cause of the recent price spike. To support his claim of “anti-consumer behavior by oil-and-gas companies,” the president said in his letter to FTC Chair Lina Khan that, “Usually, prices […]

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced last week it is suspending enforcement of its controversial COVID-19 vaccine mandate for private businesses. OSHA made the announcement after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit upheld an injunction preventing the rule from taking effect. In a written opinion, the […]

The IRS released guidance last week clarifying when amounts excluded from gross income in connection with forgiven Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans are considered received or accrued for tax purposes and how partnerships should allocate such amounts– — Rev. Proc. 2021-48 said amounts excluded from gross income in connection with forgiven PPP loans can be […]

Here are the Top 10 Stories From Harrisburg last week– — AP: State Lawmakers, Officials, Judges Get Big Automatic Pay Raises In 2022 Inflation is driving up consumer prices and will drive a big salary increase for Pennsylvania state lawmakers, judges and top executive branch officials in 2022. For many of these positions, it’s the […]

PPA is excited to announce the release of the 2022 PPATEC training schedule! The 2022 schedule currently features 75+ classes. Additional classes will be added in the upcoming months. Please visit the PPATEC website to view the schedule. TAP HERE for all articles in November 15 EXPRESS Update

Earlier this year Senate Bill 275 was introduced by Senator Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) to prohibit municipalities from adopting ordinances that would restrict specific energy sources within their jurisdictions. The PPA initially consulted with Senator Yaw’s staff to confirm that the bill covers heating oil and propane. The PPA then submitted written testimony in May to […]

Gov. Tom Wolf shared an overview of enhancements Pennsylvania anticipates receiving through the passage of President Joe Biden’s bold, historic $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. “This comprehensive package will provide critical federal funding to Pennsylvania’s infrastructure, support economic growth throughout the Commonwealth, and provide stable, good-paying jobs for Pennsylvanians,” said Gov. Wolf. “Restoring […]

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the November 6 PA Bulletin it is suspending the enforcement of the California Heavy-Duty Diesel Emissions Control Program in Pennsylvania through July 31, 2023. The suspension means the federal standards for heavy-duty diesel vehicles and engines will apply in Pennsylvania. According to the PA Motor Truck Association, […]

On November 8, the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee voted along party-lines– Republicans supporting– to report out Senate Concurrent Resolution #1 disapproving of the final regulation limiting carbon emissions from power plants consistent with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.             The resolution now goes to the full House for consideration and then, if passed, […]

The Department of Environmental Protection will be accepting applications for Clean Diesel Grants under the Driving PA Forward Program until January 7, 2022.  (formal notice) The Department is seeking applications for projects that will replace or retrofit diesel-powered highway and nonroad fleet vehicles, engines and equipment. The majority of the vehicle or engine’s annual operation […]

On November 5, the House passed the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), by a vote of 228-208, sending the bill to the President’s desk. Meanwhile, Congressional Democrats and President Biden continue to navigate an uncertain future for the partisan Build Back Better (BBB) reconciliation bill. Thirteen Republicans voted […]

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has granted a stay of OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS), which was announced last Thursday, temporarily halting the requirement that employers with 100 or more employees implement policies mandating that workers be vaccinated against the coronavirus or provide documentation of a negative COVID-19 test at least […]

At least seven states with State Plans are considering whether to challenge the Biden Administration’s ETS in court, despite the Biden Administration warning that State Plans that fail to comply could be revoked. This includes Alaska, Arizona, Indiana, Kentucky, South Carolina, Utah, and Wyoming. Separately, numerous Republican state Attorneys General have filed lawsuits against the […]

Here are the Top 10 Stories From Harrisburg last week– — General Assembly Wants To Expand Powers Over Executive — House Speaker Cutler: People Have A Right To Restore Balance In Constitution — Spotlight PA: Republican House Speaker Wants To Greatly Expand Lawmakers’ Power Over Governor, Executive Branch — City & State: Republicans Unveil New […]

Late on November 5, the U.S. House voted to approve the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, sending it to President Biden for his approval.             Pennsylvania’s Congressional Delegation voted along party lines on the legislation– Republicans opposing, except for Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick who voted in favor of the bill.             Among other provisions, the […]

PPA would like to highlight the following new members joining the Association in September.             Active Members Active Members are independent branded and non-branded petroleum marketers who sell gasoline, heating oil, diesel fuel, kerosene, and other petroleum products at both the wholesale and retail levels, including convenience stores.             None added in October             Associate […]

The Environmental Quality Board is scheduled to meet on November 16 to take action on the final regulations making changes to Stage I and II volatile organic compound emission controls on underground gasoline storage tanks.             The regulation allows owners and operators of gasoline dispensing facilities (GDFs) to remove or decommission all Stage II vapor […]

Earlier this year, the PPA established the Robert V. Boltz Scholarship Foundation. The newly created 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation was created to offer tuition assistance for individuals who will be enrolling into the PPATEC 10-week HVAC & Energy Professional Program. PPATEC plans to begin offering this gateway program in July 2022 to encourage more individuals to […]

Thursday, OSHA released a final emergency temporary standard (ETS) that mandates employers with 100 or more employees to require workers to be vaccinated for COVID-19 or produce evidence of a negative covid-19 test once per week. Employers are not responsible for the cost of vaccines or testing. Employers are required to provide up to 4 […]

The Energy Marketers of America (EMA) is inviting PPA members to this Small Business Legislative Counsel (SBLC) webinar Wednesday, November 10 starting at Noon EST. In this webinar, SBLC Strategic Policy Director and Paley Rothman employment law attorney Jessica Summers will discuss the new OSHA emergency rule requiring employers with 100 or more employees to […]

Last week, EMA joined other associations in a letter urging Congress to oppose tax hikes on “Main Street businesses” that are in the Biden Administration’s  Build Back Better Framework. The BBB would expand the 3.8 percent Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) to all pass-through business income; impose a new surtax of up to 8 percent […]

Last week, Republican Senators Dan Sullivan (AK), Kevin Cramer (ND), and Cynthia Lummis (WY) — all representing major oil producing states released the “American Energy, Jobs, and Climate” plan, which aims to cut global emissions up to 40 percent from today’s levels by 2050.             Click Here for the full announcement. TAP HERE for all […]

The PPA Political Action Committee would like to recognize the following POMPAC contributions in October:             POMPAC Monthly Supporters             Scott Walton (Platinum), Quincy Longacre (Gold), Steve Oehlert (Gold), Ted Harris (Sliver), & Mark Smith (Bronze)             PPA Fall Energy Conference & Golf Outing             The PPA would like to recognize and thank all of […]

EMA joined 100 other associations in a letter to President Biden on Supply Chain Solutions this week. The 5 solutions include support for the Drive Safe Act to allow younger, qualified drivers – between the ages of 18 and 20 – who satisfy rigorous safety, training, and technology requirements to operate in interstate commerce. We […]

Here are the Top 10 Stories From Harrisburg last week– — November 2 Election Results – Analysis — AP: 2021 Gives PA Republicans More Hope For Big 2022 Election — AP: Local Democrats Warn Party: Growing Republican Wave Is Real — ErieT: What This Year’s PA Election Results Mean For Critical 2022 Races — PA […]

On October 27, the Senate passed The Energy Choice bill– Senate Bill 275 (Yaw-R-Lycoming)– by a vote of 35 -15. The bill, also known as the Ban the Ban bill, would preempt municipalities from adopting regulations that would prohibit or regulate energy sources within their jurisdictions. The bill is in response to reports of local […]

On October 27, the Senate voted 32 to 18, just short of a veto-proof margin, to adopt a concurrent resolution to block final DEP regulations from going into effect setting limits on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants consistent with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.             The resolution had been on the Senate Calendar since […]

On October 29, Nacero Inc. announced plans to build a $6 billion manufacturing facility on the site of a former coal mine in Newport Township and Nanticoke, Luzerne County that will bring thousands of jobs and produce tens of thousands of barrels per day of low and zero lifecycle carbon footprint gasoline made from natural […]

Last Week, Congressional Democrats moved closer towards passing President Joe Biden’s legislative agenda by announcing a $1.75 trillion domestic policy package focusing on climate change, healthcare, and tax reform. Notably, this new framework excludes several harmful provisions from the original proposal. The $1.75 trillion framework comes after extensive negotiations between progressive Democrats, Senators Joe Manchin […]

Yesterday, the National Grocers Association formed the Main Street Competition Coalition to promote competition by strengthening enforcement of the Robinson-Patman Act (“RPA”), the only federal price discrimination law to ensure a level playing field for the benefit of both businesses and consumers. Members of the MSCC include the Energy Marketers of America as well as […]

In an effort to expand uses for biofuels, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) recently introduced the “Comparison of Sustainable Transportation (COST) Act” and the “Biojet Fuel Research Act.” These new proposals will explore ways the federal government could use biofuels to reduce transportation costs while lowering carbon emissions. “We should not be so quick to […]

Here are the Top 10 Stories From Harrisburg last week– November 2 Election– — Spotlight PA: Last-Minute Guide To Essential PA Voter Prep For 2021 General Election — PennLive – John Baer: Election Day Is Looming, What’s A Voter To Do? — PennLive Guest Essay: If You Care About The Future Of This Country, Vote […]

The results are now available for the fourth annual field employee wage & benefit survey. Thank you to all of the companies who participated this year.             Click Here to see the results and survey results from the previous three years. TAP HERE for all articles in October 25 EXPRESS Update

The Energy Choice bill (SB 275) introduced by Senator Yaw (R-Lycoming) was reported from the Senate Local Government Committee last week. Also known as the Ban the Ban bill, the legislation would preempt municipalities from adopting regulations that would prohibit or regulate energy sources within their jurisdictions. The bill is in response to reports of […]

On October 18, Department of Human Services Acting Secretary Meg Snead joined Public Utility Commission Chair Gladys Brown Dutrieuille to announce the start of the annual Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) application process for the 2021-22 season. LIHEAP is a federally funded program administered by DHS that provides assistance for home heating bills so […]

The FMCSA Pennsylvania Division will be hosting FREE educational seminars designed to help carriers familiarize themselves with important safety programs impacting the motor carrier industry. The webinars are scheduled to be held from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. on these dates– — November 10: Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT).  The Entry Level Driver Training requirements will […]

Recently, EMA joined 100 other associations in a letter to Senate and House Leadership in opposition to any proposal that would require financial institutions to report to the IRS on transactions in business and personal accounts. Click Here to read the letter. The proposed new tax information reporting regime as described by the Department of […]

As of October 22, negotiations continue between House Democrats, Senate Democrats, and the White House over how to pass the two most consequential portions of President Biden’s legislative agenda: (1) the bipartisan Senate-passed $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, and (2) a partisan reconciliation package containing a variety of Democratic climate change, tax, and healthcare priorities. Initially, […]

Here are the Top 10 Stories From Harrisburg last week– — November 2 Election — Inquirer: Republican National Committee Chair: ‘Freedom Will Win’ In PA Judicial Elections Next Month — Inquirer: PA Bar Assn. Criticizes TV Ad By Republican PA Supreme Court Candidate Kevin Brobson — Spotlight PA: Things To Know About Nov. 2 Election […]

The PPA is excited to announce Jason Flohr (Edris Oil Service, Inc.), Mike Hinds (Hinds Energy), Tim Redshaw (Countywide Petroleum) and Tom Studebaker (Star Group, L.P.) have been elected to serve on the Board of Directors. Their three year terms will become effective January 1, 2022.             Click Here to view a complete list of […]

The Department of Human Services and the Public Utility Commission will announce the opening of Pennsylvania’s 2021-22 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program for applications on October 18. Among the changes for the new year– — Income eligibility guidelines have increased to $6,810 per person in a household– up $90 from last year– starting at $19,320 […]

On October 14, the Department of Environmental Protection presented a proposed regulation that would adopt California’s existing Zero Emission Vehicle Program that requires 22 percent of the new passenger and light duty vehicle fleets offered for sale in the state be zero emission vehicles starting in model year 2025.             The 22 percent requirement equals […]

Last week, OSHA formally submitted its “COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard Rulemaking” to the Office of Management and Budget for review. OMB will attempt to review the rule quickly to make it effective as soon as possible. How OSHA will enforce the mandate, which is estimated to cover over 80 million workers, is […]

EMA joined other associations, representing thousands of businesses and workers throughout the country, in a letter to leadership of the tax writing committees in the House and Senate in strong opposition of the Small Business Tax Fairness Act (S.2387) and other recent proposals to change the 199A deduction. EMA has serious concerns that the proposed […]

President Joe Biden and Congressional Democrats are continuing negotiations to trim their once-$3.5 trillion signature domestic policy package (the Build Back Better Act) to a topline figure between $1.5 and $2.3 trillion. Paring down topline spending means lawmakers will not need as many “pay-fors” to cover the cost of social programs (i.e., tax increases), though […]

Thursday, NACS, SIGMA, NATSO, EMA and FMI asked the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) to provide a list of electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) products for which the Agency has issued marketing denial orders (MDOs) in a letter on September 10. The groups argued that the MDO list […]

Here are the Top 10 Stories From Harrisburg last week– — WITF: Communities Of Color Want To Be ‘Stewards,’ Not ‘Victims’ Of PA Redistricting Plans Touting census data that shows a strong uptick in Pennsylvania’s non-White population, representatives from some of Pennsylvania’s communities of color say new political boundaries should give them a chance for […]

Thank you to all of the members and industry stakeholders who pre-registered for the upcoming PPA Fall Energy Conference & Annual Meeting at Omni Bedford Springs Resort October 13 & 14. Conference registration is currently closed for the in-person conference due to a significant increase in 2021 attendance and limitations in venue capacity. The finalized […]

As the result of many conversations with many PPA members, the Association has been engaged in crafting a legislative proposal that would address the inherent unfairness to smaller convenience store operators in the current beer licensing system in Pennsylvania. The existing requirement of a prospective facility license to have thirty seats in place for customers […]

Congress continues to wrestle with ways to pass three major legislative items: (1) the bipartisan Senate-passed $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act); (2) a partisan reconciliation measure totaling roughly $3.5 trillion; and (3) increasing the debt ceiling before October 18. Last week, the Senate reached a tentative solution to the debt ceiling […]

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency together with engine manufacturers have come to an agreement on a software bypass patch that will prevent heavy duty diesel engines from shutting down automatically due to faulty DEF fluid sensors. The software bypass is needed due to the current COVID induced worldwide shortage of microchips needed to manufacture DEF […]

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a final rule last week that will make it easier for CDL drivers to be pulled out of service by state traffic enforcement officers and lose driving privileges. The rule is important to energy marketers because it means employers must be diligent about regularly checking driver drug […]

Growth Energy has filed an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, asking the Court to review a D.C. Circuit opinion (American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, et al. vs. EPA) in which the D.C. Circuit overturned a 2019 Trump era rule allowing year-round sales of E15. The federal Clean Air Act prohibits the summertime sale of […]

Here are the Top 10 Stories From Harrisburg last week– — PennLive Guest Essay: Redraw PA’s Congressional Voting Districts For Residents, Not Politicians – T.J. Rooney (D) & Alan Novak (R) In every campaign, there are political winners and losers. We should know. As former chairmen of the state’s Republican and Democratic parties, we’ve been […]

Negotiations continue among Congressional Democrats over how to pass the two most significant portions of President Biden’s legislative agenda: (1) the bipartisan Senate-passed $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, and (2) a partisan budget reconciliation package, in excess of $3.5 trillion.             Over the weekend, Democratic leaders and President Biden delayed votes on both the infrastructure and […]

PPA would like to highlight the following new members joining the association in September. Active Members Active Members are independent branded and non-branded petroleum marketers who sell gasoline, heating oil, diesel fuel, kerosene, and other petroleum products at both the wholesale and retail levels, including convenience stores. — ECI Comfort (Langhorne, PA) Associate Members Associate […]

Last week, EMA joined NACS, NATSO and SIGMA in a letter to OSHA Acting Assistant Secretary Jim Frederick concerning questions in response to President Biden’s executive order (EO) directing businesses with more than 100 employees to either require workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or produce a negative COVID-19 test weekly. The Emergency Temporary Standard […]

The House Judiciary marked-up and approved H.R. 3617, the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act of 2021. Last Congress, the House passed similar legislation in a bipartisan manner, however, the Senate did not consider the legislation. The MORE Act would make three major changes to federal law. It would: –Remove marijuana, or cannabis, from […]

This week, EMA sent another letter to the EPA requesting urgent action to reduce the corn ethanol mandate. The Administration is under significant pressure to provide relief from labor union leaders and Senators from his home state of Delaware. The EPA is currently considering whether to lower RFS blending obligations. EMA fully believes in renewable […]

Last week, EMA joined 18 national trade group members of the Main Street Privacy Coalition in sending a letter to Chair Cantwell and Ranking Member Wicker with our views on federal data privacy legislation in connection with the Senate Commerce Committee hearing on “Protecting Consumer Privacy.” Click Here to read the letter. TAP HERE for […]

Here are the Top 10 Stories From Harrisburg last week– — WESA: PA Legislative Reapportionment Chair Says Process Has Been Transparent, Cites Hearings, Comments Mark Nordenberg, chair of the legislative reapportionment commission, explains how the group tasked with drawing state House and Senate districts is trying to maintain a transparent process while also operating on […]

The Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Technical Education Center (PPATEC) continues to receive recognition for ongoing training initiatives.  Below is a summary of recent articles in the past three months. Learn more about PPATEC by clicking here. — September 21, 2021: LP GAS Magazine – Pennsylvania association launches training facility, program — September 2, 2021: Central Penn […]

Pennsylvania’s 2021-22 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program will begin accepting applications on October 18, according to the Department of Human Services. Among the changes for the new year– — Income eligibility guidelines have increased to $6,810 per person in a household– up $90 from last year– starting at $19,320 for the initial person– Up $180 […]

PPA is asking you to participate in our annual wage and benefit survey to provide better metrics for our industry.  The deadline to take the survey is September 30. CDL drivers and HVAC technicians are some of the most valuable employees within your organization and this survey helps provide an important benchmark for wages and […]

On September 22, Gov. Tom Wolf announced the Pennsylvania Climate Action Plan 2021 and called for statewide action on climate change by all sectors: legislative, government, industry, business, agriculture, and community organizations. “As thousands of Pennsylvanians try to recover from historic flooding and tornadoes related to the remnants of Ida this month, the message is […]

U.S. House and Senate Democrats continue negotiating a way forward for the $1 trillion bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and a partisan $3.5 trillion reconciliation package. On Saturday, September 25, the House Budget Committee will combine the House committees’ individual portions of the reconciliation package – including the tax provisions – into one […]

According to Reuters news wire service, the Biden administration is set to move forward with significant cuts to the annual blending mandates under the RFS. If true, it would mark a significant victory for EMA and the energy marketers it represents. According to documents obtained by Reuters, the Environmental Protection Agency will reduce blending mandates […]

The Internal Revenue Service issued a reminder to business owners of the importance of correctly determining whether individuals providing services are employees or independent contractors. According to IRS an employee is generally considered to be anyone who performs services, if the business can control what will be done and how it will be done. What […]

Under pressure from U.S. House moderates, President Joe Biden’s plan to require financial institutions to report account flows to the IRS in a bid to improve tax compliance will likely be set at a threshold higher than the $600 proposed. Some estimates are focused on raising the threshold to $10,000. Recently, EMA joined 42 other […]

Here are the Top 10 Stories From Harrisburg last week– — AG Shapiro: Sues Senate Republicans Over Plan To Subpoena Voters’ Private Data Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced his Office has filed a lawsuit against Pennsylvania state senators Chris Dush and Jake Corman as well as the Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee for their efforts to […]

Last week, all U.S. House Committees of jurisdiction advanced their portions of the Build Back Better Act– the Democratic-led budget reconciliation package. The House Ways and Means Committee approved a host of significant tax increases to pay for the package, which as of now would cost in excess of $3 trillion. The burdensome legislation takes […]

Last week, the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee reported out a concurrent resolution that would stop the adoption of the final regulation that would have Pennsylvania join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).             On September 2, the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee reported out a similar concurrent resolution. The regulation, which would […]

The EPA and California Air Resources Board (CARB) are working with diesel engine and vehicle manufacturers to address the growing number of reported diesel exhaust sensor failures that have left thousands of diesel engines temporarily inoperable. The sensor monitors the quality of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) used in the engine. When the device senses too […]

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has updated the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse registration process to clarify how student drivers with a commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit will register. Student drivers who are employed by a motor carrier must register as a driver (download instructions). Student drivers in a training program that is […]

On September 10, EMA joined FMI (the Food Industry Association), NACS, NATSO and SIGMA in a letter  to Janet Woodcock, M.D. Acting Commissioner of Food and Drugs, U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), and Mitchell Zeller, JD, Director of the Center for Tobacco Products (CTP), FDA, urging swift announcement of the list of electronic nicotine […]

Here are the Top 10 Stories From Harrisburg last week– — WHYY: Wolf Creates New Redistricting Oversight Panel Ahead Of Fraught Map-Drawing Process Pennsylvania’s governor issued an executive order Monday creating a new panel of experts to advise him on passing a new congressional map next year.  Tom Wolf, a Democrat, says he’s trying to […]

The U.S. Energy Information Administration will start its weekly State Heating Oil and Propane Price Survey (SHOPP) the first week of October and end it the first week in April. A list of respondents is assembled by EIA and respondents are contacted initially by letter during the summer explaining the survey. If you are part […]

September 20 is the deadline to register for the hotel to attend the October 13-14 PPA Fall Energy Conference at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort.             To get special rates, call 1-800-THE-OMNI and use the Group Code: PA Petroleum Association or Click Here to register for a room online. The two-day conference will also feature […]

The state Senate and House will reconvene session on September 20 after breaking for summer recess. The following are bills are legislation PPA will be particularly engaged in the fall session– — SB 435 (Mensch): The bill would require electric utilities to submit plans to buildout the electric vehicle (EV) charging networks allowing them to […]

PPA would like to highlight the following new members joining the association in August. Active Members Active Members are independent branded and non-branded petroleum marketers who sell gasoline, heating oil, diesel fuel, kerosene, and other petroleum products at both the wholesale and retail levels, including convenience stores. — Kratzer Oil Company (Subury, PA) — Seth […]

On Friday, President Biden announced a multi-pronged program to fight the spread of the COVID-19 delta variant. The program will require mask and testing requirements for certain public and private employers, mandatory paid time off for testing and vaccination, additional funding for the COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program and streamlining the Paycheck Protection […]

Over the past few years, subgrantees and members of the LIHEAP Advisory Committee (the PPA holds and appointed member seat on this committee) have suggested that a clean and tune program for LIHEAP Crisis clients would be helpful to help clients maintain their new or repaired heating systems and decrease the number of return customers. […]

The U.S. House Agriculture Committee proposed a $1 billion USDA program to push E10 and B20 plus blends into the motor and heating fuels market which Congressional Democrats hope to include in a $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation package. It is double the amount lawmakers proposed earlier this year. The USDA program is expected to offer […]

Last week, EMA joined other members of the Family Business Estate Tax Coalition in a letter to Ways and Means Committee Chairman Neal and Ranking Member Brady to state our unequivocal support for the continuation of stepped-up basis. Stepped-up basis prevents family-owned businesses and farms from being hit with two significant and damaging tax bills […]

U.S. House Committees continue to markup their respective portions of the Build Back Better Act, the $3.5 trillion reconciliation package that includes Democratic priorities not included in the Senate-passed infrastructure bill.             Clean Electricity/Electric Vehicles The House Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee released details about its planned portion of the bill, which will invest $150 […]

The EPA’s Office of Underground Storage Tanks (OUST) has just released a new guidance document to help prepare and protect both UST and AST systems from wildfires. OUST is releasing the guide in response to the escalating number of wildfires occurring now and expected in the future that threaten thousands of UST and AST facilities […]

Here are the Top 10 Stories From Harrisburg last week– — PA Cap-Star: PA Grapples With Competing Redistricting Priorities: ‘It’s A Rubik’s Cube’ Pennsylvania politicians must redraw 17 congressional districts, and 253 legislative seats by the end of the coming fall to match population shifts.  But differing priorities, from as simple a goal as compact […]

The seminar schedule for the October 13-14 PPA Fall Energy Conference at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort is now available.  The seminars include– October 13– — Conference Golf Outing — Leadership 2021: 5 Winning Strategies To Thrive In The Post-COVID Era — PPA Committee meetings: Next Generation, Propane, Motor Fuel & Convenience Store, Heating Fuels […]

PPA is asking you to participate in our annual wage and benefit survey to provide better metrics for our industry. CDL drivers and HVAC technicians are some of the most valuable employees within your organization and this survey helps provide an important benchmark for wages and benefits. Survey responses are anonymous and limited to one […]

On September 1, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission voted 3 to 2 to approve the final Environmental Quality Board regulation to reduce carbon emissions from power plants.             The Commission acted after hearing comments on the regulation for over four hours of comments from those supporting and opposing the regulation.              The IRRC approval order […]

The PA Petroleum Association is seeking four (4) new Directors to serve on the Board of Directors. The three year Director term begins on January 1, 2022. If you are interested in nominating someone– including yourself–  please notify the PPA prior to September 15. Click Here to make a nomination online. The election of new […]

PPA has learned the Department of Human Services will open the Low Income Energy Assistance Program for applications on October 18, about two week earlier than usual.             Although the details are not yet available, PPA understands there may be an increase in cash and crisis grant amounts for this year.             PPA will let […]

On August 31, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued an extension and an amendment of its emergency declaration under 49 CFR Section 390.25 effective in all fifty states and the District of Columbia.  The amendment now covers the transportation of certain fuels which was removed from previous waivers. “The extension and amendment of Emergency […]

With members instructed by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) respectively to release their portions of the proposed $3.5 trillion reconciliation package by September 15, House and Senate Committees are actively working to prepare draft text in advance of committee consideration. Among these, the House Ways and […]

As part of the Biden Administration’s efforts to stem the recent increase in retail gasoline prices, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has indicated an intent to increase its scrutiny of mergers and acquisitions in the petroleum industry. The FTC’s Chairperson, Lina Kahn, stated that the FTC is interested in determining whether large national chain retailers […]

The FDA issued the first marketing denial orders (MDOs) for electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) products for about 55,000 flavored ENDS products from three applicants. The products from JD Nova Group LLC, Great American Vapes, and Vapor Salon are non-tobacco-flavored ENDS and they include flavors such as Apple Crumble, Dr. Cola and Cinnamon Toast Cereal. […]

Last year, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and Idaho National Laboratory (INL) launched an exemplary new Commercial Routing Assistance (CRA) app, which DHS funded and INL developed in partnership with EMA through the All Hazards Consortium’s working group, and other industry and government operational professionals. This free app […]

Here are the Top 12 Stories From Harrisburg last week — — WITF: House Lawmakers Get An Earful On How To Redraw PA’s Congressional Maps: ‘Do No Harm’ House lawmakers of the chamber’s powerful State Government committee are starting to get ideas and input on their once-in-a-decade task of redrawing Pennsylvania’s congressional districts.  In an […]

The Pennsylvania Petroleum Association held a ribbon cutting ceremony on August 26 to celebrate an expanded facility, a new 10-week training program, and a new scholarship named for a long-time industry leader, Robert V. Boltz. The ceremony drew over 60 attendees including a visit from state Senator Scott Martin, Chairman of the Senate Education Committee. […]

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives returned from recess to pass the Senate’s budget resolution, which formally unlocks the reconciliation process that will allow Congressional Democrats to pass a domestic spending package without Republican votes. The vote on the resolution was held up due to disagreements with several moderate House Democrats who had threatened […]

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is expected to recommend to the White House a reduction in 2021 federal renewable fuel blending mandates to below levels approved for 2020. The EPA also is expected to make a separate recommendation to increase blending mandates for 2022 above the previous two years. Annual blending mandates are determined in […]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced it is providing $26 million to build the infrastructure to expand the availability of higher blend renewable fuels at retail sites across the nation. The funding, made through the Higher Blend Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP), is designed to help transportation fueling and biodiesel distribution facilities offer higher ethanol […]

Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-IL), along with five other Democrats and Republicans, recently introduced a bill known as the “Next Generation Fuels Act” that seeks to establish a minimum 98 Research Octane Number (RON) standard for gasoline and require sources of additional octane resulting in at least 30 percent fewer GHG emissions than unblended gasoline. The […]

The Fuels Institute’s Diesel Fuel Quality Council (DFQC) released its second-best practices document related to the handling of diesel fuel. “Diesel Fuel Loading and Delivery: Industry Practices to Minimize Degradation and Improve Fuel Quality” is a seventeen-page document that provides recommended practices for the loading of diesel fuel onto a tanker at a terminal and […]

Recently, the U.S. Justice Department’s Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) endorsed a May proposal by the Federal Reserve to strengthen the 2011 debit card interchange fee rules (Regulation II) to reign in the rapidly growing “card-not-present” (CNP) transactions such as online shopping, automatic bill payments and new payment methods such as Apple […]

Cyber security experts are concerned that a rush to push EV infrastructure could lead to unintended consequences as EV charging stations are potentially vulnerable to hacking. Click Here to read a Bloomberg Government report as EV charging stations face heightened security concerns as the Biden Administration pushes electrification on American motorists. TAP HERE for all […]

StopRansomware.gov is the new ransomware homepage for federal government agencies to pool resources that can give businesses and organizations of all sizes the opportunity to better protect their networks. The website will also highlight the latest ransomware-related alerts from these agencies. Ransomware cases are on the rise. In 2020 there was a 300 percent increase […]

Here are the Top 10 Stories From Harrisburg last week– 1. Spotlight PA: In Major Shift, PA Reapportionment Panel Votes To Count Incarcerated People In Home Districts, Not State Prisons Thousands of people incarcerated in state prisons will be counted in their home communities rather than in corrections facilities when Pennsylvania redraws its legislative maps, […]

The hotel cut-off date for the 2021 PPA Fall Energy Conference & Annual Meeting is September 20, so act now and make your reservations. Call 1-800-THE-OMNI or Click Here to make reservations at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort using Group Code: PA Petroleum Association. The 2021 PPA Fall Energy Conference & Annual Meeting will take […]

On August 18, Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, chaired by Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), approved sending a letter urging the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) to disapprove the “CO2 Budget Trading Program,” proposed regulation – #7-559 (IRRC #3274).             The vote was 7 to 4, Republicans supporting the letter.  The IRRC is scheduled to […]

Fuels Institute’s Electric Vehicle Council released a Best Practice Guide for Installing and Operating Public Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure last week. The report provides a discussion of questions and issues that sites can expect to encounter when evaluating and installing public EV charging points at a site. The discussion is grouped into three categories: 1) […]

The CDC recently updated recommendations for fully vaccinated people to reduce their risk of becoming infected with the Delta variant and potentially spreading it to others by: — Wearing a mask in public indoor settings in areas of high transmission; — Choosing to wear a mask regardless of level of transmission, particularly if individuals are […]

The Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy and the National Corn Growers Association filed a legal petition in the D.C. Court of Appeals requesting a full nine judge panel review of the Court’s recent decision that blocks the sale of gasoline with 15 percent ethanol during summer months. That decision was handed down by a panel […]

Last week, the International Trade Administration’s Advisory Committee on Supply Chain Competitiveness, voted to recommend the U.S. Department of Commerce lead a multi-agency effort to immediately address the truck driver shortage. ACSCC Workforce Development Subcommittee Chair Anne Strauss-Wieder told the panel that “our recommendation focuses on the driver shortage. We had a shortage prior to […]

EMA has been asked to provide a review of the FMCSA’s CDL Drivers Hours of Service (HOS), including record of duty logs and the short haul exception to the HOS requirements. EMA recently was able to expand hour and distance limitations of short haul exception from 100 air-mile radius and 12 hours maximum on duty […]

The NACS Show education sessions, designed by retailers for retailers, can help teams grow and excel in the constantly evolving convenience store industry. With more than 45 education sessions to choose from, the learning possibilities are limitless. From embracing new technology to enhancing the customer experience, there’s an opportunity for every convenience role and pain […]

Magnetic stripe credit cards have been around since 1960, but now Mastercard plans to be the first to stop using the stripe for credit and debit cards. Beginning in 2024, new cards will not be required to have the magnetic stripe, and by 2033, Mastercard says the technology will be removed from all cards. Chips […]

Freedom Electronics and Sound Payments will host a webinar August 26 starting at 2:00 p.m. on retrofitting your pumps cost-effectively for EMV. The webinar will start off about the importance of EMV compliance and then talk about all the different options. Freedom will then speak on their specific kit and show field/installation examples and images. […]

Here are the Top 10 Stories From Harrisburg last week– 1. MCall: PA Redistricting Experts Demand Better Map-Drawing Process; Partisan Interest Shouldn’t Define It Carol Kuniholm, an expert on how the state’s elected leaders have drawn heavily criticized political maps, says the latest map-drawing process is off to a fair start — but the final […]

Last week, the U.S. Senate passed the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, by a vote of 69-30, with several senior Republican Senators voting in favor – notably Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). The bill was a product of bipartisan negotiations between ten Senators, and includes historic spending on […]

The PPA recently published an addendum to outline a few membership corrections to the 2021-2022 PPA Membership Directory. The one page addendum can be found here.             Any additional changes will be updated quarterly in the online directory. To view the updated digital PPA membership directory please click here. If you have any updates/corrections to […]

Last year, the Office of Management and Budget approved a new Department of Health and Human Services Federal Drug Testing Custody and Control Form. The form must be used by employers performing drug and alcohol testing for CDL drivers. In order to allow for an orderly transition to the new form, the OMB authorized the […]

In an August 11 letter to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Lina Khan, Brian Dees, the Director of the National Economic Council, asked the FTC to “Use all of its available tools to monitor the U.S. gasoline market and address any illegal conduct that might be contributing price increases for consumers at the pump.” Citing […]

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) updated the CDL Driver Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse registration process to clarify how student drivers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or commercial learner’s permit (CLP) should register. The Clearinghouse is a secure online, searchable electronic database where all CDL driver drug and alcohol violations are now posted. […]

ExxonMobil and Chevron aim to produce more sustainable low carbon liquid fuels without having to spend billions to upgrade their refineries. Click Here for the story. TAP HERE for all articles in August 16 EXPRESS Update

Last week, the Energy Marketers of America, NACS and National Association of Manufacturers filed an opposition to a Rhode Island federal court’s remand of a state climate challenge against major oil companies. Citing a May decision of the U.S. Supreme court finding in BP v. Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, a climate change case […]

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this week issued a proposed rulemaking that would require automakers to achieve an 8 percent annual improvement in fuel efficiency for model years 2024-2026. The new fuel efficiency requirements are significantly more stringent than the 1.5 percent annual gains in fuel efficiency set by the Trump administration in 2020. […]

The Coordinating Research Council (CRC), a non-profit research arm of the petroleum equipment and automotive industry, has released a final report on a major research project aimed at identifying causes of accelerated corrosion in underground storage tank systems containing ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel (ULSD). The study is important to energy marketers because accelerated corrosion is […]

Here are the Top 10 Stories From Harrisburg last week– 1. WITF: Census Data Drop Puts PA Lawmakers Closer To Drawing State’s New Political Voting District Boundaries State lawmakers will soon be able to start redrawing Pennsylvania’s political boundaries now that the U.S. Census Bureau has released detailed computerized data from last year’s population count. […]

The 2021 PPA Fall Energy Conference & Annual Meeting will take place at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort in Bedford, PA. This award-winning destination is a perfect venue to host all segments of PPA membership in one location. Conference Registration – Now Available! Registration is now open for the 2021 Fall Energy Conference & Annual Meeting! Attendees […]

On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee approved the bipartisan Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, S. 1486.  U. S. Senator Robert Casey (PA) is prime sponsor of the bill. The bill is supported by several labor and business groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which seeks to promote women’s health and […]

EMA has been working with state association executives, the Department of Immigration, DOT and DOE on solutions to the driver shortage. In particular, the need for more EB3 Visas for foreign workers to deliver fuel in the U.S. as the shortage of drivers stretches across all industries and has been a problem for years. The […]

Last week, EMA joined NACS and seven other associations in a letter to CDC and OSHA regarding the revised mask use guidance, asking to protect employees from being required to be enforcers of state and local policies mandating wearing masks in public areas. The letter urged CDC and OSHA to lead on this worker safety […]

PPA would like to highlight the following new members joining the association in July. Active Members Active Members are independent branded and non-branded petroleum marketers who sell gasoline, heating oil, diesel fuel, kerosene, propane and other petroleum products at both the wholesale and retail levels, including convenience stores. All Seasons Fuel LLC (Coopersburg, PA) Dixie […]

Thursday, President Biden released a comprehensive multi-pronged plan to significantly tighten light truck and car fuel efficiency and begin a dramatic shift to electric vehicles over the next decade. Current CAFE standards are 46.1 mpg for passenger cars and 32.6 mpg for light duty trucks. Those standards are set to gradually increase to 55.3 mpg […]

The Senate continues to move forward in approving the bipartisan infrastructure bill (BIB) before it adjourns for August recess. The Senate has considered over twenty amendments – of several hundred offered by Senators. The U.S. Senate is expected to approve the bipartisan infrastructure bill before it adjourns for August recess, likely early next week. The […]

Kick off the 2021 PPA Fall Energy Conference by joining industry colleagues for a fun round of golf and networking at the Bedford Springs Old Course the morning of October 13. The Bedford Springs Old Course is ranked #2 in Pennsylvania on the list of “The Best Courses You Can Play” by GolfWeek magazine. Golfer Registration Now […]

On July 27,2021, the House Environmental and Energy Committee voted to approve a letter to be sent to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC), conveying the Committee’s disapproval of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) proposed in a regulation advanced by DEP. Under the provisions of the IRRC statute, standing committees- and ultimately the full […]

The Transportation Revenue Options Commission released its final report on July 30,2021. Created by an executive order signed by Governor Wolf in March, the Commission was tasked with developing a strategy for ultimately replacing the current state gas tax with other revenue streams. According to PennDOT, other revenue options are needed as motor fuel tax […]

This week, the Senate voted in favor of moving forward on a Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal (BID), although, legislative text has not been released. The deal reportedly includes $550 billion in new spending, which includes funding for roads, bridges, and major projects, electric grid upgrades, rail and Amtrak improvements, broadband expansion, clean drinking water, transit, ports […]

The PPA has signed onto two different congressional letters to Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) regarding the Zero-Emissions Homes Act of 2021. The recently introduced bill incentivizes the purchase of new energy efficient heating appliances through federal rebates and tax credits. Unfortunately, the tax credits are limited to purchasers of new heating appliances powered by electricity […]

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has launched a new online application portal that allows borrowers with PPP loans of $150,000 or less to apply for forgiveness directly through the SBA instead of through participating lenders. The new application portal is designed to streamline and simplify forgiveness for small businesses. According to the SBA, most […]

Yesterday, the Energy Marketers of America (EMA) and its heating fuel state associations sent a letter to Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) regarding the Zero-Emissions Homes Act of 2021, a bill he recently introduced to incentivize the purchase of new energy efficient heating appliances through federal rebates and tax credits. Unfortunately, the tax credits are limited […]

The IRS has updated frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the paid sick and family leave tax credits available under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP). The paid sick and family leave tax credits reimburse eligible employers for the cost of providing paid sick and family leave for reasons related to COVID-19. The revised […]

EMA continues to hear from energy marketers who have received hefty fines for failure to display IRS nontaxable use warning labels on dispensers. The IRS requires all dyed diesel and dyed kerosene dispensers to have a specific label indicating that the fuel is for nontaxable use only. Dispensers supplying undyed, untaxed kerosene sold from a […]

On Wednesday, midwestern GOP Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS), John Thune (R-SD), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Ben Sasse (R-NE) sent a letter to President Biden over their concerns with the Administration’s all-in approach for electric vehicles while not supporting biofuels as an immediate way to lower […]

This week, EMA joined several small business associations in a letter opposing a Treasury Department proposal which would require financial institutions to report to the IRS on the deposits and withdrawals of all business and personal accounts, as well as transfers between accounts of the same owner. EMA objected to the proposal due to the broad, untargeted […]

This week, EMA joined a coalition in letters to Senate Democratic Leadership and Senate Republican Leadership urging them not to include language that would increase the minimum liability insurance requirements for motor carriers. Such language was included in the recently passed House INVEST in America Act highway bill but was not included in the Senate […]

The Biden Administration has delayed the EPA’s proposed RFS biofuel blending mandates for 2021 and possibly 2022 pending a decision how to address the competing interests of the ethanol and oil industries and their political backers. The RFS divides Democrats and Republicans along regional lines that pit Midwestern biofuels supporters against biofuel supporters against and […]

Governors in Connecticut and Rhode Island signed legislation into law earlier this month that will require higher blends of biodiesel in home heating oil in the coming years. Consistent with previous changes to fuel specifications, the implementation dates fall on July 1 in each respective year. On Monday, July 12, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signed […]

Negotiations continue in the Senate for a bipartisan infrastructure agreement. Though Senate Republicans blocked a motion to advance the framework this week, lead GOP negotiators have assured Democrats that Republicans will be ready to proceed next week. According to negotiators, nearly every major issue has been resolved, with the exception of transit funding. Eighty percent […]

The 2021 PPA Fall Energy Conference & Annual Meeting will take place at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort in Bedford, PA. This award-winning destination is a perfect venue to host all segments of PPA membership in one location. Conference Registration – Now Available! Registration is now open for the 2021 Fall Energy Conference & Annual […]

On July 13, 2021 the Pennsylvania Environmental Quality Board approved the regulation that would result in the Commonwealth joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). This program would establish a cap-and-trade emissions requirement on fuels used for electric power generation within the state. The plan is the centerpiece of the Wolf Administration’s climate change mitigation […]

The PPA Political Action Committee would like to recognize the following POMPAC contributions in June: POMPAC Monthly Supporters: Scott Walton (Platinum), Mark Smith (Bronze), Quincy Longacre (Silver), Steve Oehlert (Silver), Rodney Derstine (Sliver), Russell Newell (Bronze), Ted Harris (Sliver) Regional Golf Outings: The PPA would like to specially thank the Berks-Schuylkill Oil Heat Association (BSOHA), […]

The Transportation Funding Options Commission appointed by Governor Wolf earlier this year (to search for alternatives to the gas tax) is expected to submit its report by the end of the month. The Commission is in the final stages of reviewing the recommendations.  Included in the provisions under consideration is the phase in of an […]

Senators continue negotiating the details of the bipartisan infrastructure deal that was agreed to in principle a few weeks ago. The framework will likely incorporate the highway and surface transportation bill that already has strong bipartisan support. While the bipartisan group had planned to turn the framework into formal legislative text this week, the group […]

A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced bills this week to permit the sale of E15 blends throughout the year. The bills, introduced by Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), along with Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN) and Adrian Smith (R-NE), are designed to counteract a recent federal court ruling that blocked EPA from allowing […]

The U.S. DOT has published its latest Regulatory Agenda update showing where rules stand in the regulatory process and which rules will be proposed in the coming months. The Regulatory Agenda is important to energy marketers because it provides a “heads up” on rules and regulations that will have an impact on their businesses. EMA […]

On Wednesday, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee passed 13-7 Senator Joe Manchin’s (D-WV) 500-page Energy Infrastructure Act which will serve as the legislative text for key portions of the final $1 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework. Along with the Committee’s democrats, three republican Senators also voted in favor of the bill, Senators Murkowski (AK), […]

On the first of June, the Indiana Department of Transportation and Purdue University announced plans to develop the world’s first contactless wireless-charging concrete pavement highway segment. The project will use magnetizable concrete – developed by German startup Magment GmbH – enabling wireless charging of electric vehicles as they drive. The project is part of the […]

Bruce D. Howe, of Lake Ariel, was born Nov. 22, 1931, son of the late John T. Howe and Marie (Dodge) Howe, Lake Ariel, Pa. With great sadness, he died peacefully at St. Mary’s Villa with his family by his side. Bruce was a graduate from Lake Consolidated High School, Wyoming Seminary and Penn State […]

The 2021 PPA Fall Energy Conference & Annual Meeting will take place at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort in Bedford, PA. This award-winning destination is a perfect venue to host all segments of PPA membership in one location. Conference Registration – Now Available! Registration is now open for the 2021 Fall Energy Conference & Annual […]

In preparation for the February 7, 2022 Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) compliance date, training providers in compliance with the Federal regulations may now register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) via the Training Provider Registry. FMCSA will review all registration requests to ensure that the information provided is complete and in alignment with […]

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit last week scrapped EPA’s Trump-era rule authorizing the use of E15 during the summer driving season. In a unanimous opinion issued July 2, the three-judge panel struck down EPA’s interpretation of Clean Air Act language relating to waivers from summertime RVP limits. EPA’s original […]

The Biden administration is set to propose an ambitious two prong plan to reduce automobile greenhouse gas emissions designed to make electric cars the dominant vehicle sold in the United States. The plan is a key part of the administration’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent of 2005 levels by 2030. That […]

Last week, Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN) and Randy Feenstra (R-IA) introduced the “Small Refinery Exemption Clarification Act of 2021.” The bipartisan legislation would clarify that only oil refineries that have been continuously receiving small refinery exemptions (SREs) since 2011 would be eligible to petition for extensions of renewable fuel blending requirement exemptions. Reps. Craig and […]

PPA would like to highlight the following new members joining the association in June. Active Members T & M Fuel LLC (Fairless Hills, PA) Associate Members Qualpay Qualpay combines innovation and flexible technology with the best in class reporting and cash flow management for the Energy industry. Qualpay’s focus is on the customer experience and […]

On June 30, the Office of the Budget Office made two transfers into the Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Fund (USTIF) cash account at the Pennsylvania Treasury totaling $86,474,925.68. This represents the entire repayment of the General Fund loan from 2002. The principal amount of $67,500,000.00 was repaid as well as the entire amount of the […]

Click here to read EMA’s Compliance Bulletin regarding Annual HAZMAT Registration for Expiring Certificates Click here to read EMA’s Compliance Bulletin regarding Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax for Vehicles For vehicles first used on a public highway in July, file Form 2290 between July 1 and August 31. For vehicles first used on a public […]

This week, Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) introduced the “Biofuel Infrastructure and Agricultural Product Market Expansion Act of 2021” which would provide $1 billion in grant funding over ten years for state and localities to provide fuel retailers with incentives to install dispensers and UST systems compatible with ethanol blends beyond E10 […]

Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) unveiled proposed legislation this week that would provide consumers with federal funds to convert home appliances to all electric service, including home heating equipment. The Zero Emissions Home Act will provide homeowners up to $10,000 in federal grant money to install new electric equipment needed for conversion away from natural gas, […]

All week, EMA has been working with FMCSA regarding the states that were anticipating fuel outages due to the driver shortage during the July 4 long weekend. We polled all of the states and began to let FMCSA know of the states that are already experiencing outages as well as those that anticipate outages and […]

This week, President Biden walked back his previous statements tying the success of a bipartisan infrastructure package to a partisan reconciliation bill. President Biden said he would sign the bipartisan package on its own with or without a larger reconciliation package, which reassured Senate Republicans who expressed immediate concern that the White House negotiated in […]

Biofuel proponents are pressuring the EPA to release its policy on granting small refinery waivers from blending obligations under the RFS in light of last week’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling that sides with refiners on the issue. The biofuel industry demands come after the Supreme Court ruled in HollyFrontier Cheyenne Refining, LLC, et al., v. […]

This week, EMA joined a coalition in a letter to members and staff of the House Rules Committee in support of the Rep. Bost (R-IL) Amendment #220. The Bost Amendment, which was not included in the INVEST in America Act, would have eliminated Section 4408, a harmful and unnecessary minimum liability insurance increase for motor […]

The 2021 Heavy Highway Vehicle Use (HHVU) tax reporting period runs from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022. The HHVU tax is paid on each commercial motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of 55,000 pounds or greater that travels 5,000 miles or more per year. The HHVU applies to most petroleum cargo tank […]

The two bills in the General Assembly that PPA have been actively opposing since January were stalled from being considered prior to the summer recess.             SB 435 (Mensch) would require electric utilities to build out the electric vehicle charging network. The legislation (strongly pushed by PECO) permits the utility to charge all electric customers […]

A discounted room rate of $189 per night (excluding tax & resort fees) is currently available for the PPA Fall Energy Conference & Annual Meeting October 13-14 at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort. This award-winning destination is a perfect venue to host all segments of PPA membership in one location. Click Here to reserve your […]

The House is scheduled to vote the week of June 28 on the INVEST in America Act (H.R.3684), legislation that would authorize $547 billion for highways and surface transportation programs for the next five years. As the legislation is considered on the House floor, members have an opportunity to amend the bill text. Currently, the […]

This week, EMA sent a letter to the EPA Administrator Michael Regan and National Economic Council Director Brian Deese requesting urgent action to reduce the corn ethanol mandate to 9.7 percent of projected gasoline demand to address the current E15 crisis. The Administration is under significant pressure to provide relief from labor union leaders and […]

This week EMA joined other associations in a letter of opposition of any reduction of the 20-percent deduction for qualified business income under Section 199A of the Tax Code, including phasing out the deduction above certain income thresholds. The letter to the Majority and Ranking members of the Senate and House tax committees outlines that […]

On Wednesday, Rep. John Curtis (R-UT) announced the creation of the Conservative Climate Caucus, designed to educate House Republicans on climate policies and legislation consistent with conservative values in order to fight against radical progressive climate proposals that would hurt our economy, American workers, and national security. Curtis and the fifty other members of the […]

The PPA is distributing a questionnaire to ensure accurate membership data. The association is committed to protecting the confidently of information of our membership. The voluntary information submitted in this questionnaire will strictly be used for internal purposes. This includes but not limited to the following items: 1. Membership Contact Information: The PPA is continuing […]

The legislature is rushing to pass the state budget by the end of this week. PPA has been continuing its intense campaign to defeat SB 435 and HB 1285, both currently under consideration in the General Assembly. SB 435 would require electric utilities to build out electric vehicle charging stations, recovering costs of those projects […]

The 2021 PPA Fall Energy Conference & Annual Meeting will take place at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort in Bedford, PA. This award-winning destination is a perfect venue to host all segments of PPA membership in one location. We’re looking for industry experts to be a part of the 2021 seminar program. Our Request for […]

The National Energy & Fuels Institute (NEFI) released the following regulatory guidance on June 18. Dealers may incur steep fines for using or selling heating oil as diesel. Recently, price differentials between the costs of fuels have prompted some dealers to ask if they may legally use heating oil as on-road or off-road diesel, or […]

EMA joined others this week in a letter of support for the DRIVE Safe Act amendment to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation mark-up of S.2016, the “Surface Transportation Investment Act.” Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) offered the amendment which would allow people under the age of 21 to operate a commercial motor vehicle […]

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) plan to advance President Biden’s economic agenda on dual tracks hit roadblocks Thursday as moderate Democrats said they are still working on the details of a bipartisan infrastructure plan. On Tuesday, the new Senate bipartisan infrastructure working group announced the latest compromise proposal framework, a $1 trillion proposal focused […]

The Biden Administration is considering relief for refiners from volumetric blending mandates under the RFS standard. The Administration is under significant pressure to provide relief from labor union leaders and Senators from his home state of Delaware. The EPA is currently considering whether to keep RFS blending obligations flat, opt for a modest increase or […]

Yesterday, the Supreme Court rejected the latest challenge to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The consolidated case of California, et al. v. Texas, et al. posed two critical questions for the Justices: (1) is the ACA’s individual mandate unconstitutional now that there is no penalty for not buying insurance? and (2) if the individual mandate […]

Recently, the Transportation Climate Initiative Program (TCI) released a final model rule which will now head to a public comment period. Last year, the Governors of Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island as well as the Mayor of the District of Columbia announced their intention to join the regional Transportation & Climate Initiative (TCI). The TCI […]

On Tuesday, Louisiana-based U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty ruled against the Biden Administration’s temporary ban on selling new drilling rights on federal lands and waters. This is a victory for the thirteen Republican state attorneys who sought the preliminary injunction which blocks President Biden’s January 27 Executive Order to halt the sale of new oil […]

On Wednesday, thirteen years after the initial proposal, TC Energy Corporation and its partner the Government of Alberta, announced the termination of the $9 billion Keystone XL Pipeline Project. On January 20, his first day in office, President Biden revoked the pipeline’s permits, thereby reversing former President Trump’s approval of the line. The company said […]

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced this week that it plans to revise a Trump-era rule that limits the types of water bodies that warrant federal protection from pollution. The scope of the waters of the U.S. rule is important to energy marketers because it largely determines whether costly land use restrictions will be imposed […]

Labor leaders are pressing the Biden administration to waive renewable fuel blending mandates under the RFS in response to requests from governors, mayors and others to take immediate action. In a letter to the President, labor union leaders requested urgent action to “reduce the skyrocketing cost” of biofuel blending credits (RINs) “and preserve American union […]

This week, President Biden ended bipartisan infrastructure negotiations with Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) after both sides remained hundreds of billions of dollars apart and could not agree on pay-fors. Now, infrastructure discussions are being led by a group of ten bipartisan Senators, who late Thursday announced a tentative infrastructure agreement. Although the plan has […]

Nearly three months after its original due date, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) finally released its much-anticipated COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). To the surprise (and relief) of many, the ETS is much more limited than anticipated and only applies to healthcare and healthcare support service workers. As we previously reported, one of […]

Speculation is swirling in the State Capitol as to whether the Senate will vote on Senate Bill 435 before the summer recess scheduled to begin at the end of June. Reports indicate that an increasing number of Senators may be rethinking their initial support of the bill, which would require electric utilities to submit plans […]

The House Consumer Affairs Committee may vote in the near future on House Bill 1285. The provisions of this bill could prove disastrous for the deliverable heating fuel industry, as it would permit natural gas utilities to subsidize the expansion of pipelines to potential residential and commercial customers.   The bill would also allow utilities to recover […]

Special rooms are still available for the PPA Fall Energy Conference & Annual Meeting October 13-14 at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort in Bedford. This award-winning destination is a perfect venue to host all segments of PPA membership in one location.             Click Here to reserve your room or call 1-800-THE-OMNI with Group Code: PA […]

In the State Capitol, June is a time when significant pieces of legislation are enacted-often within the framework of state budget deals. PPA has been engaged in opposing two bills that appear to be gaining traction in the current legislative discussions. Senate Bill 435 (Mensch-R-Montgomery) would create a requirement for electric utilities to build out […]

The PPA Political Action Committee would like to recognize POMPAC and Energy Defense Fund contributions in May: POMPAC — Platinum Supporter: Ron Kukuchka — Gold Supporter: N/A — Silver Supporter: Quincy Longacre*, Steve Oehlert*, and Ted Harris* — Bronze Supporter: James Apgar, James Firmstone, Mark Smith*, Steven Firmstone — Supporter: Curtis Martin, Kelly Brown, Stephen […]

PPA would like to highlight the following new members joining the association in May– — Shine Transport, Inc.:  Shine Transportation, Inc. is a family owned transportation business based in Winchester, VA with a satellite office in East Earl, PA. We specialize in hauling petroleum, propane, and refrigerated goods. It is our desire to build meaningful, […]

The Department of Transportation announced the expiration date for apportioned vehicle registrations for Pennsylvania residents that were set to expire between May 31, 2021 and June 16, 2021 are extended through June 16, 2021. Apportioned registrants should mail their apportioned renewal applications to the Department for processing, or it may be completed in person at […]

In conjunction with the President’s Budget request, the U.S. Department of the Treasury released its “Greenbook” detailing the Administration’s tax proposals. The proposals would increase the top marginal tax rate for individuals from 37 percent to 39.6 percent; raise the corporate tax rate to 28 percent (from 21 percent); tax capital gains as ordinary income […]

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA) online portal for annual HAZMAT registration opened on May 1. Registration renewals must be completed by July 1, 2021. However, due to COVID-19 workplace restrictions and processing delays, marketers should register online this year and do so early. Important! Due to COVID-19 workplace […]

On Thursday the White House released a memo to corporate executives and business leaders outlining what the government is doing to disrupt and deter ransomware actors. President Biden also urges the private sector, businesses of all sizes, to immediately convene their leadership teams to discuss the ransomware threat and review corporate security posture and business […]

PPA has been following the progress of Gov. Wolf’s proposal to reduce carbon pollution from power plants consistent with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative by putting a price on carbon.  Here’s a short update on where it stands.             Nominations Senate Republicans are holding fast to their position that they will not confirm any of […]

What a difference 11 weeks makes!  At the beginning of March, Pennsylvania faced a state budget deficit of $2.5 to $3.5 billion by everyone’s estimates [Read more here]; COVID percent positivity was at 5.7 percent, but starting to drop; Gov. Wolf just started easing gathering limits on businesses slightly; and a new Vaccine Task Force […]

On May 25, the PA Department of Transportation announced a recently enacted state law– Act 131 of 2020— extends the validity period of a commercial learner’s permit from 180 days to one year and helps address the issue of human trafficking through severe penalties levied on commercial drivers or those who wish to obtain a […]

In Pennsylvania, most of the COVID-related restrictions, including crowd capacity at businesses, were lifted on May 31 across Pennsylvania. Read more here. On Sunday, Gov. Wolf issued a statement saying the mask order for unvaccinated and partially vaccinated individuals will remain in place until June 28 OR when 70 percent of Pennsylvanians age 18 and […]

The Department of Environmental Protection posted a notice on its website saying computer upgrades and maintenance will make some online forms used by the agency unavailable June 11 and 12, including several forms in the Storage Tank Program.             Click Here for the notice and the list of forms available. TAP HERE for all articles […]

On May 26, the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee unanimously approved the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act of 2021 (STRA-21), the highway title of the surface transportation reauthorization. STRA-21 provides $303.5 billion for federal-aid highway programs for fiscal years (FY) 2022-2026, a 34 percent increase over current law. It is important to note that […]

The Internal Revenue Service announced interest rates will remain the same for the calendar quarter beginning July 1, 2021. The rates are important to energy marketers who have outstanding refunds (underpayments) due from the IRS for the sale of clear untaxed diesel to state and local governments and other exempt groups. The IRS continues to […]

EMA joined the Family Business Estate Tax Coalition (FBETC) in a letter to members of Congress indicating support for the continuation of stepped-up basis and a study from EY illustrating that GDP would decrease by $100 billion over 10 years if stepped-up basis were repealed by imposing a tax on unrealized gains at death. Repealing […]

The U.S. Senate Finance Committee last week advanced a $260 billion package reforming and consolidating energy tax credits. The Clean Energy for America Act, which advanced on a party-line vote, would consolidate a variety of federal incentives into technology-neutral investment or production tax credits. The bill also increases benefits for EVs, adding a separate $2,500 […]

The White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) is extending its policy review of an OSHA temporary emergency rule that would require employers to follow workplace health protocols designed to protect workers from contracting COVID-19. The emergency rule is controversial because it is believed to impose a one-size-fits-all health standard onto employers across […]

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a “Clearinghouse Update” on May 27, 2021 reminding commercial motor vehicle drivers who are regulated by the FMCSA that they should exercise caution when considering whether to use hemp and cannabidiol (CBD) products. Specifically, the update stated that it is important for all employees who perform safety-sensitive […]

EMA joined a coalition of 10 associations in sending a letter to the CDC, DHS and OSHA asking them to urge states not to put the onus of verifying vaccination status on employees, as Oregon has done, as that will put employees at risk. The letter said retail and other employees are not equipped to […]

In support of its mission to improve truck and bus safety, the FMCSA Pennsylvania Division will be hosting three different FREE educational seminars designed to help carriers familiarize themselves with important safety programs impacting the motor carrier industry. The webinars will be held from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.– — June 3 – Drug & Alcohol […]

The Independent Fiscal Office issued its first revenue estimates for FY 2021-22 last week and if it wasn’t clear before it is very clear now– the Biden Administration’s push to provide state and local governments with money to prop up their budgets has saved Pennsylvania Republicans.             Instead of facing big deficits, Senate and House […]

The PPA is a proud partner of the Eastern Energy Expo 2021 Education Summit & Marketplace which officially begins today! The May 24 – 26 event will take place through a state-of-the-art video conference platform. EEE 2021 will feature live business and technical education programs as well as interactive networking opportunities for attendees, sponsors and […]

The Department of Environmental Protection will provide an overview of state grants program available for the installation of electric vehicle charging facilities during a June 1 Webinar starting at 1:00 p.m. The presentation will include a description of the different levels of charger technologies, as well as perspectives on the direction electrification of vehicles and […]

U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm Friday announced sweeping actions to power more American homes and buildings with “cleaner” energy services intended to sharply reduce the buildings sector’s carbon footprint. The new Department of Energy’s (DOE) initiative is designed to cut the energy and emissions footprints of buildings by integrating them with electrified power. […]

On May 17, 2021, the United States Supreme Court issued its decision in BP v. Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, a climate change case in which EMA submitted an amicus brief in support of BP and the other major oil company defendants. Although the case involved a procedural issue related to whether the case […]

Late Friday, the White House released a $1.7 trillion counter-offer infrastructure proposal– down from the original $2.3 trillion opening bid– in response to U.S. Senate Republicans’ $568 billion proposal.  Read more here. This comes after continued meetings between top Senate Republicans and key White House officials, who recently discussed various pay-for options, such as an […]

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s biofuel blending mandates for this year and next are likely to be in line with those of 2020 as the agency accounts for weaker fuel demand since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, three sources familiar with the matter said. The move is designed to spare the U.S. refining industry […]

The Food and Drug Administration Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) released a list of deemed new tobacco products for which a premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) was submitted to FDA by September 9, 2020. The lists include deemed new tobacco products for which a premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) was submitted to FDA by September […]

The world’s leading energy agency, the International Energy Agency (IEA) released a report stating that governments and officials are not fully aware of what would be necessary to actually reach net zero emissions by 2050. According to IEA there is a list of things that would have to occur immediately to keep the average global […]

Both constitutional amendments giving the Republican-control Senate and House the ultimate authority to determine what happens during an emergency were passed by voters in the Primary Tuesday.             Statewide voter turnout was creeping up to 24 percent as the provisional and mail-in ballots continued to be counted by counties at the end of the week. […]

The PPA is a proud partner of the Eastern Energy Expo 2021 Education Summit & Marketplace which officially begins next week! The May 24 – 26 event will take place through a state-of-the-art video conference platform. EEE 2021 will feature live business and technical education programs as well as interactive networking opportunities for attendees, sponsors […]

On May 12 the Colonial Pipeline initiated the restart of pipeline operations at approximately 5:00  p.m. ET, five days after taking its entire system offline May 7 to contain the threat from a ransomware incident. In response to the Pipeline shutdown, the PPA was in constant communication with PEMA, DEP, PennDOT, State Police, PUC, Homeland […]

On May 11, the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy and Local Government Committees held a joint hearing on Senate Bill 275 (Yaw-Lycoming) which would establish state government as the authority empowered with energy regulation, preempting local government regulatory actions. Associations representing local governments expressed concerns with some provisions of the legislation that, in their view, […]

Moderate Congressional Democrats are expressing concern over the Biden Administrations proposed tax proposals including a plan to eliminate the stepped-up basis for unrealized gains at death that would impose a tax capital gains over $1 million on inherited assets. In a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D- CA) and other House leaders, thirteen Democratic […]

For many Marketers, concerns over whether enhanced unemployment benefits are making it more difficult for businesses to get employees back to work are nothing new. Last week, the issue gained fresh attention following the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ release of the April jobs report which reflected surprisingly disappointing job growth numbers. On Tuesday, a coalition […]

The U.S. House soon expected to pass the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (H.R. 1065). The bill is co-sponsored in the House by 208 Democrats and 20 Republicans. If it becomes law, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act would apply to all public employers and private employers with 15 or more employees. These employers would be required […]

On Wednesday, President Biden and Vice President Harris held infrastructure discussions with the “big four” Congressional leaders: Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). Republican leadership reiterated their opposition to using tax increases to pay for infrastructure, and also […]

On Tuesday, voters will be put squarely in the middle of the political fight between Senate and House Republicans and the Governor over his extended use of disaster emergency declarations to fight the COVID pandemic.             There are two questions on the ballot related to the issue that would amend the state constitution in different […]

The 2021 PPA Fall Energy Conference & Annual Meeting will take place at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort in Bedford in October. This award-winning destination is a perfect venue to host all segments of PPA membership in one location. The hotel room block is currently open and can be found below. Conference registration and a […]

On May 7, 2021 the Colonial Pipeline announced their system has been shut down due to a cyber-attack. As of today, there is no indication of when they will resume operation. The PPA has been in communication with Governor Wolf officials and other key state agency partners. Please send the PPA any relevant information on […]

The PPA has previously reported on Senate Bill 275 which was introduced by Senator Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) to establish the State would have the legal authority in regards to the regulation of energy matters in the Commonwealth. Under the provisions of this bill, municipalities and counties would be preempted from adopting their own energy ordinances. […]

The PPA is distributing a questionnaire to ensure accurate membership data. The Association is committed to protecting the confidentiality of information of our membership. The voluntary information submitted in this questionnaire will strictly be used for internal purposes. This includes but not limited to the following items: 1. Membership Contact Information: The PPA is continuing […]

Nila Manning from Countywide Petroleum (Pittsburgh, PA) was recently appointed by Governor Wolf to serve on the Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Board (USTIB). The board oversees the Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Fund (USTIF), which collects funds from tank owners to reimburse eligible participants for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred from releases into the environment. Ms. […]

The Department of Human Services last week reminded Pennsylvanians who need assistance paying utility bills they can apply for help through the federally funded Emergency Rental Assistance Program. With federal funds allocated through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, the Wolf Administration built the ERAP in partnership with the General Assembly through Act 1 of […]

The Department of Labor (DOL) withdrew the Trump Administration’s final rule that clarified the standard for determining employee versus independent contractor status under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The withdrawal of the final rule took effect yesterday. Independent contractors are not entitled to the federal minimum wage, overtime pay and other benefits that covered […]

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Office of Drug and Alcohol has once again clarified the agency’s drug and alcohol policy concerning the legalized use under state laws of CBD oil and legalized marijuana by CDL drivers. The policy is important to energy marketers because it addresses how state legalization of CBD oil and marijuana […]

On May 5, members of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy held a hearing on “The CLEAN Future Act: Driving Decarbonization of the Transportation Sector.” The CLEAN Act is comprehensive legislation to reach a 100 percent “clean” economy no later than 2050. The Subcommittee focused on decarbonizing the transportation sector through […]

The EPA is providing the Government Accountability Office (GAO) with confidential documents relating to small refiner’s petitions for exemptions to biofuel blending mandates under the RFS. The EPA announced it will provide the GAO with all documents, information, and data related to small refinery exemption petitions received by the agency from the start of the […]

EMA has joined a coalition of 50 associations representing millions of employees and many millions more customers in asking President Biden to include the bipartisan “Healthy Workplaces Tax Credit Act” (S. 537 and H.R. 1944) in the next federal legislative package to protect the safety of workers, customers, and the public. Sponsored by Senator’s Kyrsten […]

EMA has joined the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and other business groups in a letter to members of Congress who serve on the Blue Dogs and Problem Solvers caucuses urging them to oppose increases in the existing minimum liability coverage for motor carriers. Although the proposal to raise the minimum liability coverage is focused on […]

Republicans that run the Senate and House still have not released a plan yet for how they want to spend the $7.4 billion (or so) in federal stimulus money the state government will receive. Read more here. Beyond statements from House Speaker Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) and others expressing concerns about spending one-time federal stimulus funds […]

PPA would like to highlight the following new members joining the association in April — Apex Companies, LLC: Apex Companies, LLC provides responsive due diligence; environmental assessment (i.e. soil and groundwater), spill response, permit support, and remediation; engineering; regulatory compliance; NOV resolution; stormwater management; risk management; hazardous building materials (i.e. lead, mold, and asbestos) investigation, […]

PPA has been engaged in the process of communicating with the appropriate Committee chairs and other key legislators regarding our opposition to the bills that have been introduced that would permit utilities to expand electric and natural gas vehicle infrastructure and recover their costs from ratepayers. House Bill 1285 (Williams-R-Delaware) would also allow utilities to […]

A bill that would prohibit a Governor from joining multistate programs that would implement carbon cap and trade programs without legislative approval was voted out of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee on April 27. Senate Bill 119 (Pittman-R-Indiana) is aimed at the regulatory process continuing to be pursued by Governor Wolf to have […]

The PPA Political Action Committee would like to recognize POMPAC contributions from the following individuals in April: — Platinum Supporter: Dell Cromie, Michael DeBerdine, Richard Scheibe Jr., Scott Walton* — Gold Supporter: N/A — Silver Supporter: Glenn Leighow, Kurt Haab, Steve Oehlert*, and Ted Harris* — Bronze Supporter: Mark Smith* and Quincy Longacre* — Supporter: […]

The Chester County Fuel Dealers Association recently approved a $10,000 donation of NORA funding to be earmarked by the PPA for the ongoing expansion of the Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Technical Education Center (PPATEC). This generous donation will support the PPATEC training program as the association continues to invest in strengthening workforce development initiatives for our […]

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) online portal for annual HAZMAT registration opens May 1, 2021. Registration renewals must be completed by July 1, 2021. However, due to COVID-19 workplace restrictions and processing delays, marketers should register online this year and do so early. Important! Due to COVID-19 workplace […]

A bill that would have the net effect of  blocking a proposal pushed by PennDOT to toll nine interstate highway bridges passed the Senate by a 28-19 vote last week. Senate Bill 382, introduced by Senator Wayne Langerholc (R-Cambria), the chair of the Senate Transportation Committee) was in reaction to opposition that had intensified in […]

Over the past two months, EMA has been in frequent communication with DOE, DOT and DHS regarding lingering distribution problems in some parts of the South primarily caused by the dramatic winter storm in Texas. Since then, EMA has also been communicating that in the South there are already problems with keeping stations filled due […]

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Thursday the agency plans to propose new rules to adopt product standards to remove menthol from cigarettes and remove characterizing flavor additives from cigars. The proposed ban does not apply to e-cigarettes. In its announcement, the FDA states that the new proposed rules will be issued “within […]

U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-OR), along with Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) and several other lawmakers, introduced the Tobacco Tax Equity Act of 2021 which would increase the federal tax rate on cigarettes, pegging it to inflation and setting the federal tax rate for all other […]

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments last week to determine whether small refineries can claim they are exempt from ethanol and biodiesel blending mandates under the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). The case involves an appeal by small refiners of a lower federal court ruling last year that invalidated 3 small refinery exemptions (SREs) issued by […]

In his first address to the Joint Session of Congress April 28, President Biden announced the second of his two-part infrastructure proposal, the American Families Plan, which is being touted as a social and human infrastructure package. The 10-year, $1.8 trillion proposal includes investments and tax credits for American families and children in education, nutrition, […]

In a few short weeks, the Senate, House and Gov. Wolf will face a July 1 deadline to put together a final state budget, including how to spend the extra $7.4 billion (or so) the state gets in federal stimulus aid, but partisan bickering over a proposed regulation to address climate change has now escalated […]

The fight over the Wolf Administration’s plan to have Pennsylvania join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative was taken to a new level this week. In a letter to the Governor, the Senate Republicans announced they were refusing to confirm his nominees to the Public Utility Commission due to his pursuing the RGGI plan without legislative […]

A bill is being proposed that would authorize utilities to use revenue from ratepayers to subsidize the expansion of electric vehicle charging stations. It would also provide for ratepayer subsidy of the expansion of natural gas lines. The latter is reminiscent of the bill pushed a few years ago by the late Rep. Bob Godshall. […]

The tensions between the General Assembly and the Governor over the use of executive power is also reflected in ballot questions that will be before voters in the May primary. Key among those is a proposed constitution amendment that would curtail an emergency disaster declaration by after Governor twenty one days unless a joint resolution […]

EMA submitted comments on the EPA’s E15 Labeling and UST compatibility proposed rule. EMA told the EPA that “energy marketers are willing to sell any liquid fuel that is compatible with existing storage and dispensing equipment, as well as the equipment it powers. Unfortunately, sealants, gaskets and other materials used to connect piping to tanks […]

The IRS is providing businesses that received a first round Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan a way to deduct expenses they could not claim last year. Last week, the IRS issued a revenue procedure that provides a safe harbor for certain taxpayers who received a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan between March 26, 2020 and […]

U.S. Senate Republicans announced a $568 billion infrastructure framework that focuses on roads, bridges, water systems, and broadband as an alternative to President Biden’s infrastructure plan. The proposal, which Senate Democrats criticized as insufficient, would also impose user fees from drivers of electric, hybrid, and other vehicles not affected by the federal gas tax. House […]

On April 23, in connection with a White House report on economic revitalization in coal and power plant communities, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $109.5 million in funding for projects that directly support job creation in communities impacted by changes in the energy economy—the first results of a government-wide initiative launched by President […]

The Biden Administration is considering a FDA proposed rule to reduce nicotine levels in cigarettes to make them no longer addictive as well as whether to outright ban menthol cigarettes in the U.S. by April 29th. Read more here. The Energy Marketers of America is concerned that such drastic measures could detrimentally impact small business […]

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced last week it is withdrawing part of a Trump-era rule that removed California’s waiver under the Clean Air Act to set their own stringent vehicle emission standards. The newly proposed rule change would restore California’s authority to set fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas […]

On Wednesday, doubts were raised among environmentalists concerning the commitment of some large U.S. financial institutions to sustainability pledges to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 or to execute Paris Climate Agreement-aligned targets. Initial signatories of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero, or the Net-Zero Banking Alliance, were Morgan Stanley, Bank of America and Citigroup, […]

The Fuels Institute’s Diesel Fuel Quality Council (DFQC) released its first publication earlier this month. The “Diesel Storage Tanks: Industry Practices to Minimize Degradation and Improve Fuel Quality” provides recommended practices for the management of storage tank systems to preserve diesel fuel quality and protect the vehicles using the fuel. The document discusses best practices […]

Senate Republicans last week pulled the trigger on a major weapon.  On April 21, they wrote a letter to Gov. Wolf to advise him they will reject all future nominees to the Public Utility Commission until he withdraws his executive order joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to reduce carbon pollution from power plants.  Read […]

The PPA is excited to again announce a partnership with the Pennsylvania Division of FMCSA/USDOT to offer a three-part webinar series in May.  It will include a weekly one hour webinar beginning on May 4. This free educational opportunity is specifically catered towards energy marketers who haul hazardous materials. The scheduled includes these webinars all […]

Register now free for the 2021 Eastern Energy Expo Education Summit to be held online May 24 to 26. The Summit is being offered through a state-of-the-art video conference platform to host live business and technical education programs as well as interactive networking opportunities for attendees, sponsors and vendors. The Summit offers two tracks — […]

A Senate bill that would require electric utilities to submit plans for the extensive expansion of the electric vehicle charging infrastructure is being considered again this session. Senate Bill 435 (Mensch-R-Montgomery) would establish deadlines for the build out of charging and establish that process to be under regulation of the Public Utility Commission. The PPA […]

The Transportation Funding Revenue Options Commission held its second meeting on April 15.  The PPA previously reported on the initial meeting which took place on March 25th. The Commission was appointed by Gov. Wolf to study and propose alternatives to the state’s current motor fuel tax. At the meeting, the Commission members were asked to […]

Last week, EMA, FUELIowa and the Illinois Fuel & Retail Association sent a letter to Midwest U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) urging them to include small business protection should Congress enact the Alternative Energy Grant Program in a future transportation package. Last year, Congress proposed the creation of a grant program […]

Energy Marketers of America (EMA) along with more than 100 organizations sent a letter to the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure and Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation and Committees requesting that the DRIVE-Safe Act (S. 659/H.R. 1745) be included in any infrastructure legislation. Though 49 states and the District of Columbia allow individuals to obtain […]

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is warning motor carriers of predatory companies posing as government agencies seeking to collect $149 filing fees for U.S. DOT number renewal. One company sent past-due notices to motor carriers under the name “FMCSA Compliance Processing Group.” The letters warn motor carriers to “contact us immediately” or risk […]

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit heard a challenge to the EPA’s one pound RVP Waiver for E15 issued in a 2019 final rulemaking. The EPA rulemaking extended the one-pound Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) waiver to E15 blends, thus allowing its sale year-round. E15 was previously limited to the winter driving season […]

Last week, the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a hearing titled “Long-term Solvency of the Highway Trust Fund: Lessons Learned from the Surface Transportation System Funding Alternatives Program and Other User-based Revenue Solutions, and How Funding Uncertainty Affects the Highway Programs.” The Committee heard from Joseph Kile Ph.D., Director of Microeconomic Analysis, […]

The COVID relief legislation (the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021) that was signed into law in March included language providing COBRA premium health insurance coverage for laid off employees and their beneficiaries. COBRA provides certain employees and their beneficiaries with the right to retain coverage under an employer’s group health plan for a set […]

The PA Petroleum Association wishes to express its condolences to the family and many friends of John D. Cipollone, Sr. who passed away recently at the age of 97.             After serving in World War II, he founded what is now John Cipollone, Inc. in 1953– a heating oil delivery and HVAC service company which […]

The House State Government Committee finished its series of 14 hearings on the 2020 election last week looking at almost every possible aspect of the election process from the perspective of those involved in Pennsylvania, other states and national interest groups.  Read more here.             During the course of the hearings, the County Commissioners Association […]

Under  the PA Department of Health’s revised  schedule of vaccine eligibility, energy and critical infrastructure workers in Phase 1C are eligible to make COVD vaccine appointments starting April 12.             Click Here for information from the Department of Health on local vaccine providers in your area and how to make appointments. TAP HERE for all […]

Employers of workers within the critical infrastructure sectors are essential to reducing vaccine hesitancy within their workforce by becoming messengers of accurate, reliable, and timely information. That is why DHS has released– CISA Insights: COVID-19 Vaccination Hesitancy within the Critical Infrastructure Workforce—  which provides an overview of COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy and steps that critical infrastructure […]

In a major development last week, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced the Senate Parliamentarian has issued a ruling that will allow Democrats to revisit the budget reconciliation process as a legislative path forward. This would allow Democrats to pass the infrastructure package without any Republican support. However, securing all 50 Senate Democratic votes […]

Friday, the U.S. Department of Energy announced $61.4 million is now available for grants to support technologies that produce low-cost, low-carbon biofuels. Biofuels are derived from renewable resources and can power heavy-duty vehicles that are difficult to electrify with current technologies—including airplanes and ships—to help accelerate America’s path to a net-zero emissions economy by 2050. […]

Visa has declined to extend the upcoming mid-April EMV liability shift deadline for another six months that EMA requested. Click Here to read Visa’s response to EMA President Rob Underwood and Click Here for more information about the Visa Transaction Advisor. Last week, the Energy Marketers of America (EMA) along with NACS, SIGMA and NATSO […]

By: Bill Pittman, Sound Payments Petro Solutions Stations in Pennsylvania will have a busy period ahead of them as the EMV quickly approaches this month. According to the Conexxus survey results, only 15 percent of fuel retailers have updated their pumps to support EMV. It indicated that 39 percent of stations will not upgrade by […]

Recently, the IRS issued new guidance for employers on the rules that will apply to the Employer Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) for the first two quarters of 2021. As EMA previously reported, the ERTC provides businesses that have experienced a significant decline in revenue (as defined in the rules) or that were fully or partially […]

EMA, along with organizations representing hundreds of thousands of mostly small businesses, urged U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to reject proposals to carve out any exceptions to the longstanding ban on commercial rest areas that would allow state departments of transportation to compete against the private sector by selling food and fuel, including electric vehicle […]

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit unanimously ruled that New York City’s climate change lawsuit against the major oil companies and other energy producers should be dismissed. The Court ruled that municipalities, like New York City, cannot utilize State law to hold multinational oil companies responsible for the damages caused by global […]

In March, former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh was sworn in as the new U.S. Secretary of Labor. Secretary Walsh’s initial orders of business are expected to be largely focused on COVID and broader Administration agenda items, such as development of OSHA proposed DOL also has other regulatory items on its plate that are important for […]

At the April 7, 2021 meeting, the PPA Board of Directors voted to support a bill that has been introduced in the state Senate that would block municipalities from adopting ordinances that would ban or regulate energy sources within their jurisdictions. Authored by Senator Yaw (R-Lycoming), Senate Bill 275 would establish that the regulation of […]

PPA is sad to let you know David M. Schwanger of Lancaster passed away April 8 at the age of 82.             He was the second generation owner of Schwanger Bros. & Company, a full service energy provider that has been offering heating oil delivery, propane gas delivery, automatic delivery options, HVAC installations, heating and […]

The Senate held budget hearings, House Republicans had hearings and press events on abortion and transgender girls, investigations mutiplied into the PA School Employees Pension Fund, the race for the open U.S. Senate seat got bigger and there was good news on the direct shipment of wine and liquor. Let’s get to it…..             Budget […]

On March 31, the Department of Health, in conjunction with the COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force, announced the start of the special initiative to vaccinate targeted industry workers and to accelerate the vaccination timetable for those in Phases 1B, 1C and 2.             The new schedule means employees of energy-related industries in Phase 1C will be […]

This week, President Biden announced the first of a two-part infrastructure proposal, the American Jobs Plan, which includes the Made in America Tax Plan. According to the Administration’s fact sheet, the 8-year, $2.25 trillion proposal includes $621 billion in transportation and infrastructure improvements aimed to modernize 20,000 miles of roads and renovate at least 10,000 […]

The Department of Human Services announced it is extending the deadline to apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) Program until April 30.  It had been set to close on April 9. The criteria to apply remains the same.  Applications can be submitted to the same places. Just as a reminder, applications for […]

On April 6 at 9:00 a.m. PPA will host a webinar on Everyone Exits: How to Prepare for a Successful Exit & High Cash Flow – Low Tax Retirement. There are few certainties in life, but one thing that is certain for all business owners, especially those in the oil, gas, and related industries, is […]

Last week, Department of Human Services Secretary Teresa Miller encouraged individuals and families who pay rent and are at risk of eviction or loss of utility service to apply for help through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). Two critical points about this program for petroleum marketers– — ERAP helps tenant households with paying rent, […]

Thursday, the Energy Marketers of America (EMA) along with NACS, SIGMA and NATSO requested that the card networks extend the EMV liability shift deadline for one final time through October 2021 to ensure small business fuel retailers have time to fully comply. EMA recently heard from its state association member companies that major equipment and […]

Every four years, the U.S. DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA) publishes an updated version of its Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) required for use by CDL drivers hauling hazardous materials. The latest version of the emergency response guide, ERG 2020, is now available. ERG 2020 updates and replaces the ERG 2016 edition currently […]

If you’re looking for a good paying, but temporary job, the Senate and House leadership last week advertised the position of Chair of the PA Legislative Reapportionment Commission is available, if you like drawing maps, working with numbers and can sit through endless, mind-numbing political debates.             The four Caucus leaders already appointed their four […]

The first meeting of the state’s Transportation Revenue Options Commission took place last week. Gov. Wolf issued an Executive Order on March 12 to create this group to explore new funding streams to pay for the state’s road and bridge construction and maintenance needs, as well as mass transit. The premise of the study is […]

This week, EMA sent a letter to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee as well as a letter to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee outlining energy marketers transportation and infrastructure priorities. EMA emphasized the importance of creating safeguards to ensure small business marketers can access vital federal funds to advance alternative energy goals. […]

Small businesses harmed by the COVID pandemic can soon borrow up to $500,000 through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s emergency lending program. The SBA is more than tripling the maximum amount small businesses can borrow through its COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Beginning April 6, 2021, the SBA is raising the existing loan […]

In good news for the country’s small businesses, Congress passed the PPP Extension Act of 2021 – which will extend the time for businesses to apply for, and the Small Business Administration (SBA) to grant, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. The President is expected to sign the bill into law. While the latest COVID relief […]

Friday, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-DE), chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, as well as Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Richard Burr (R-NC) introduced the “Securing America’s Clean Fuels Infrastructure Act” which would greatly expand the electric vehicle tax credit which will otherwise expire at the end […]

This week the Department of Justice notified Visa of plans to open an investigation into Visa’s U.S. debit practices. Click Here for the story. TAP HERE for all articles in March 29 EXPRESS Update

The Biden Administration’s broad-based attempts to fully electrify transportation continued Wednesday, when Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Acting Administrator Stephanie Pollack reported the Administration will issue guidance on how states may be able to get around the current prohibition of commercialization of rest stops so that electric charging stations can be installed on the federal right […]

On Monday, Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) pushed the White House to reinstate California’s authority to set greenhouse gas and zero-emission vehicle standards, to restore national standards that set fuel economy standards at the maximum level possible and to “… set a date by which all new cars and passenger trucks sold […]

On Thursday, the American Petroleum Institute announced it endorsed a federal price on carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming. In a statement, API said, “We will support carbon pricing mechanisms that work across the entire economy to maximize environmental benefits,” reversing a long-held position. A spokesperson for API emphasized oil companies want “market-based […]

In a major policy shift, House Republicans Appropriations Committee Chair Rep. Stan Saylor (R-York) announced Wednesday he would work to require school districts, community colleges, technical schools and universities to return to in-person instruction as a condition of receiving state funding.  Read more here. “Many schools in Pennsylvania have worked hard over the past year […]

Just a reminder to register now for the Summer Leadership Conference will be held June 14-15 in Avalon, NY. The 2021 program will focus on the Blue Ocean Strategy. Retail energy marketers have operated in a red ocean market space for decades by fighting highly contested battles for capturing existing demand from your competitors. This […]

PennDOT last week provided a letter to key partners as a courtesy reminder saying expiration dates for commercial driver licenses and commercial learner’s permits will end after the current extension expires for Pennsylvania residents in response to statewide COVID-19 mitigation efforts.             There will be no further extensions. The final extension is currently in place […]

Check out newly added PPA monthly webinar series events in 2021! PPA monthly webinars normally take place the first Tuesday of each month.– — April 6: Everyone Exits – How To Prepare For A Successful Exit & High Cash Flow – Low Tax Retirement. 9:00 – 10:00  a.m.  Click Here to register. — May 4: […]

Last week, the U.S. House passed legislation that provides a two-month extension, through May 31, for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) applications. There is bipartisan Senate support to pass the extension, but Republican Senators introduced a modified version, which would prevent the SBA Administrator from prioritizing certain businesses without approval from Congress. News reports speculate this […]

The AP reported this week a coalition of automakers told the Biden administration it would agree to raise fuel economy standards but with tradeoffs and at rates lower than those brokered by California with five other car manufacturers. Fuel economy rules are important to energy marketers because federal fuel efficiency standards have a direct impact […]

On Wednesday, the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee held a hearing, “The Business Case for Climate Solutions.” With eight witnesses the hearing was long. Shameek Konar, Chief Executive Officer Pilot Flying J, testified on behalf of the National Association of Truckstop Operators (NATSO) who said, “Federal incentive policies should harness the core competencies of […]

In response to pleas from retailers and pressure from Congress, Visa and Mastercard announced that because of the pandemic they are again delaying planned fee increases. The delayed increases have been moved to April 2022. Last week, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) sent a letter to VISA and MasterCard urging the […]

The House and Senate were both in session last week and lots of issues were swirling around the Capitol Rotunda.              Redrawing Voting Districts             The process for redrawing legislative voting districts formally kicked off last week when Senate and House leaders– Republican and Democratic– named four members to the Legislative Reapportionment Commission– one for […]

Having discovered forming a bipartisan task force on the COVID vaccine rollout seems to be working, Gov. Wolf last week announced he was forming a Transportation Revenue Options Commission that he hopes will enable him to phase out the gasoline tax.  Read more here. “Our economy, our communities, and our future rely on a strong […]

On March 10, the Department of Environmental Protection announced a set of guiding equity principles to help inform the public on the implementation of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and investments of the program’s proceeds.   Read more here. DEP has also partnered with the Delta Institute to engage with impacted communities and workers to […]

With the $1.9 trillion federal COVID relief package done, the Biden Administration and Congressional leadership are turning attention to infrastructure to create new jobs and re-energize the economy. Thursday, House Democrats jump-started discussion with a $312 billion proposal that would make the country’s electric grid more resilient to natural disasters, replace lead drinking water pipes, […]

Friday, all Democratic members of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee reintroduced a broad infrastructure package called the “Leading Infrastructure for Tomorrow’s America Act,” or “LIFT America Act.” The massive infrastructure bill includes boosting “clean energy” and strengthening the power grid, as well as expanding broadband access and building healthcare infrastructure. The bill is […]

Last Week, U.s. Senators Todd Young (R-IN) and Jon Tester (D-MT) reintroduced the Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy (DRIVE-Safe) Act to address the driver shortage in the trucking and logistics industry, and enhance safety training and job opportunities for young truckers. U.S. Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Angus King (I-ME), Joe […]

Internal Revenue Service regulations allow for the tax-free sale of undyed kerosene at retail dispensers. Such sales are allowed so long as the undyed kerosene is sold from a “blocked pump”. Energy marketers may apply for a credit or refund of the federal tax on undyed kerosene provided the following conditions are met: — The […]

Last week, U.s. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) sent a letter to VISA and MasterCard urging the companies to refrain from increasing swipe fees by $1.2 billion scheduled to take effect in April. An increase in processing fees could be especially hard for convenience stores now that cash has become a […]

The federal COVID relief bill signed into law by President Biden lifted a huge burden from Senate and House Republicans on how they were going to balance the state’s FY 2020-21 state budget. While Gov. Wolf praised the Biden Administration and Congress for passing the aid bill, he expressed disappointment Friday that it also dashed […]

U.S. House Democrats reintroduced an expanded version of the “Climate Leadership and Environmental Action for our Nation’s (CLEAN) Future Act,” to reach zero carbon emissions in the areas of power, buildings and efficiency, transportation, and industrial sectors. Among the most significant plans, the proposal calls for: — Electricity suppliers to provide an increasing supply of […]

On Saturday, the U.S. Senate final action on the Biden Administration’s $1.9 trillion COVID aid package which contains changes from the House-passed version.  The House must still take a vote to agree with the changes, before it goes to President Biden for his signature. The bill still contains major funding to plug holes in state […]

A cross-industry climate initiative by the U.S. liquid energy and agricultural sectors aims to affordably and equitably decarbonize five million homes across the Northeast by transitioning to renewable liquid heating fuel in alignment with state carbon-reduction targets. The launch of Project Carbon Freedom, coalition leaders say, will help facilitate advocacy and coordination between heating oil […]

Last week, the City of Petaluma in California voted to ban new gas stations– in this case a Safeway Supermarket– and current stations will not be allowed to add new pumps. according to a story by Axios. Behind the effort to ban new gas stations is an environmental group called Stand.earth which ran a campaign […]

Last Tuesday, U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) reintroduced the bipartisan Healthy Workplaces Tax Credit Act to help all businesses continue to safely stay open during the COVID-19 pandemic while ensuring the safety of employees and consumers. The bill would allow a refundable tax credit against payroll taxes for 50 percent of […]

Last week, it was reported the American Petroleum Institute (API) is considering supporting a market-based carbon pricing policy according to a Reuters report this week. API did not give specifics on whether or when the group would formally endorse a price on carbon but said it has been “focused on supporting a new U.S. contribution […]

The House budget hearings again re-lived some of the worst days of the pandemic for unemployed workers trying to get benefits and for school students after schools were forced to close.             Unemployment Benefits             Department of Labor and Industry Acting Secretary Jennifer Berrier was grilled and slowly roasted for an entire day over the […]

PPA would like to highlight the following new members joining the association in February. Great Plains Industries / Porter Associates Founded in 1968 and privately held, Great Plains Industries, Inc. manufactures quality fuel transfer pumps, fuel meters, flowmeters and industrial instrumentation for global fluid transfer and liquid flowmeter markets. Headquartered in Wichita, KS (USA), the […]

The Small Business Administration (SBA) announced a plan this week to ensure that more funding from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) pandemic relief loans will go to the smallest of small businesses. PPP is a subsidized loan program designed to help small businesses stay afloat during temporary closures and revenue shortfalls caused by the corona […]

Early Saturday morning, the U.S. House passed President Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID/economic relief bill– a.k.a. American Rescue Plan– on a party-line vote, Democrats supporting.  Read more here.             The House version contained an increase in the federal minimum wage to $15, but that was only a nod to the importance of the issue for Democrats, […]

On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a hearing entitled: “Building Back Better: Investing in Transportation while Addressing Climate Change, Improving Equity, and Fostering Economic Growth and Innovation.” Testifying before the Committee included: Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, Denver Michael Mayor Hancock, and American Association of State Highway […]

Last week, EMA, NATSO, NACS and SIGMA continued its decade long fight and joined other associations in a letter urging Congress to oppose commercialization of interstate Rest Stops. Last Congress, to the disadvantage of small and medium size business owners, H.R. 2 included a provision that would allow EV chargers at rest areas. Allowing EV […]

Members of the House Appropriations Committee continued budget hearings last week re-living the early days of the COVID pandemic with the departments of Health and Community and Economic Development and telling PennDOT what a bad idea it was to put tolls on bridges to fund major construction projects.             Nursing Home Deaths             One repeated […]

The Pennsylvania Petroleum Association is excited to announce the Summer Leadership Conference will be held June 14-15 in Avalon, NY. The 2021 program will focus on the Blue Ocean Strategy. Retail energy marketers have operated in a red ocean market space for decades by fighting highly contested battles for capturing existing demand from your competitors. […]

On Tuesday, PennDOT issued an Hours of Service waiver exemption statewide for the transport of road diesel fuels, home heating fuels, propane and kerosene which expires at midnight, February 28, 2021.             Click Here for a copy of the state waiver. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Wednesday granted a regional Hours of Service […]

On February 19, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it is drafting new regulations, under the direction of Gov. Tom Wolf, to require automakers to offer electric vehicles for sale in Pennsylvania as part of its PA Clean Vehicles Program. The change would require automakers to include light-duty electric vehicles as a percentage of their […]

Congressional Democrats are pressing forward for a vote this week or during the weekend, on President Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID relief package. House Committees finalized their portions of the package, setting the stage for passage via budget reconciliation – a complex legislative tool that could allow Democrats to pass the package with a simple majority […]

It’s that time of year again for energy marketers to start preparing EPCRA Tier II reports for any facility storing petroleum during the 2020 calendar year. The federal Emergency Preparedness and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) of 1986 was created to help communities plan for and respond to chemical emergencies by requiring facilities to […]

The FDA Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) released new information regarding the number of premarket tobacco product applications (PMTA) it received by the September 9, 2020 deadline. Unfortunately, the FDA has yet to publish a list of all products for which PMTAs were received by the September deadline. According to the FDA, it has processed […]

Employers need to understand the rules on mandating the COVID-19 vaccine for its workforce. While an employer can require its employees to get the vaccine before returning to work, several exceptions exist. The two major exceptions are for employees with ADA disabilities and employees with sincere religious beliefs. Employees represented by unions may also have […]

In a recent speech, Federal Reserve Governor Lael Brainard said the Fed is working to improve its understanding of climate risk while also “taking steps to mitigate the risks.” While not speaking for the entire Fed Board of Governors, Brainard said that she wants mandatory disclosures on corporate climate risks. “The long-time horizon associated with […]

Budget season kicked off in the House last week with the grim news– no surprise– the state will have to make up for a $2.5 to $3 billion structure deficit and at least $2 billion more in one-time income– including federal COVID relief funds– before they even tackle the FY 2021-22 budget.             Gov. Wolf’s […]

PPA invites you to participate in one of our committees this year so your voice can help shape the direction of the Association on important topics and initiatives. Committee meetings start in March! The committees include– — Convention Committee: assists the Association in coordinating the various conferences that take place throughout the year as well […]

In a call with state officials on Friday February 12, members of the PPA Energy Assurance Task Force requested an extension of the driver hours of service waiver which is currently set to expire on February 16. The PPA Task Force has been meeting periodically over the last two years with representatives of state agencies […]

As previously reported in the EXPRESS, a state program aimed to give relief to renters impacted by the COVID economy for housing and energy costs has been enacted into law. Fuel oil and propane are eligible sources of energy defined under this statute. This past week, PPA participated in a meeting with the PA Department […]

The PPA is excited to announce the return of our monthly webinar series in 2021!  Please the February – April webinars below. The schedule includes these webinars that all start at 9:00 a.m.–  — February 16: New PA Small Business Energy Financing program: Trusted Commercial Financing for Oil, Gas, and other Energy Improvements.  Click Here […]

EMA continues to hear from energy marketers who have received hefty fines for failure to display IRS nontaxable use warning labels on dispensers. The IRS requires all dyed diesel and dyed kerosene dispensers to have a specific label indicating that the fuel is for nontaxable use only. Dispensers supplying undyed, untaxed kerosene sold from a […]

Congressed passed budget resolutions last week, which will allow Democrats to leverage the budget reconciliation process to pass priority legislation, in this case a COVID-relief package, without Republican support. President Biden and the White House voiced preference to move a bipartisan agreement package under “regular order,” but maintained that reconciliation remains on the table. President […]

A newly released study by the National Bureau of Economic Research entitled “Low Energy: Estimating Electric Vehicle Electricity Use” reveals that, in California, drivers of electric vehicles (EVs) drive less than half that of drivers of gasoline powered cars. While this is significant regarding the trust that consumers have with EVs and range anxiety, it […]

Congressional House Democrats released their energy tax incentives proposal known as the Growing Renewable Energy and Efficiency Now Act (GREEN Act, H.R. 7330) which is similar to the energy tax provisions included in the Democrats’ infrastructure legislation. The bill includes tax credit extensions and expansions for wind, solar, biodiesel, carbon dioxide capture and storage, and […]

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) vowed to make climate legislation one of the chamber’s top priorities and make the entire economy carbon neutral by 2050. However, seven Democrats joined all Senate Republicans in voting to block a fracking ban in last week’s budget resolution “vote-a-rama.” Additionally, Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Jon Tester […]

The House Republicans will fire the opening shots at Gov. Wolf’s FY 2021-22 budget proposal this week on several fronts when they start agency-by-agency budget hearings Tuesday.             The Department of State– which runs Pennsylvania’s elections– will no doubt get some attention Wednesday, along with the Department of Corrections.             The House Commerce Committee will […]

PPA would like to highlight the following new members joining the association in January– Certified Financial Services, LLC Certified Financial Services, LLC  is a comprehensive financial planning firm who specializes in working with business owners to increase the probability of a successful exit and create sales proceeds distribution strategies that significantly increases cash flow and […]

On February 2, PennDOT issued hours of service waivers for the transportation of motor fuels, heating fuels, and propane. The waiver is currently in effect until February 16, 2021. The waivers in this exemption apply to motor carriers engaged in operations necessary to respond to the severe winter storm event disaster emergency declared by the […]

Friday, the Senate and House passed and Gov. Wolf signed Senate Bill 109 (Pittman-R-Indiana) into law that provides $912 million in economic, rent, utility and other relief to businesses, school districts and individuals, all but $145 million from federal funds.             Here are the major provisions that affect PPA members.             Tax Exemption             The […]

Political Action Committee Chairman John Reilly would like to recognize POMPAC contributions from the following individuals in January– — Platinum Supporter: Jim Barber and Scott Walton* — Gold Supporter: N/A — Silver Supporter: Steve Oehlert*, Ted Harris* — Bronze Supporter: Jane Domitrowits, Joseph Clemenson, Mark Smith*, and Tom Wingard — Supporter: Andrew Myers *Denotes the […]

The Energy Marketers of America joined 30 other associations in a letter opposing the Raise the Wage Act of 2021 which would increase the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour over five years and allow for annual automatic increases without the consent of Congress. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is pushing to […]

The U.S. Department of Labor announced the immediate end of its Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) program launched by the department’s Wage and Hour Division in 2018. The program was terminated effective January 29, 2021. The PAID program allowed employers to self-report federal minimum wage and overtime violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Once […]

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced more than 56,000 CDL driver drug and alcohol violations were recorded last year in the agency’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse database which began operation on January 6, 2020. The Clearinghouse is an online database that tracks all CDL drivers’ drug and alcohol compliance history. The purpose of […]

Toyota, Fiat Chrysler and several other automakers announced this week that they are abandoning a legal battle between the Trump Administration and California over the state’s right to set its own standards for greenhouse gas emissions and fuel economy rules. Last year, GM, Fiat Chrysler, Toyota and 10 other automakers sided with the Trump Administration […]

EMA joined other organizations in a letter to members of the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure in opposition to any increase in the minimum liability coverage for motor carriers in the next surface transportation reauthorization bill. Although marketers are not included in the current proposed language, EMA continues to oppose any efforts to unnecessarily […]

Matthew R. Allen, Vice President of W.H. Riley & Son Inc., a heating oil marketer in Massachusetts, wrote this op-ed that appeared in his local Fall River newspaper on climate change and bioheat. When my great-great-great-great-grandfather, William H. Riley, founded W.H. Riley & Son in 1873, he delivered the leading heating product of the day […]

A $912 million relief package for business, individuals and school districts, fueled by federal funding, cleared the General Assembly in a bipartisan flurry and was signed into law immediately Friday by Gov. Wolf. The two other major events last week– final passage of a constitutional amendment to limit declared emergencies to 21 days and the […]

On Wednesday, President Biden signed several Executive Orders (EOs) designed to make climate change a central Administration priority for the next four years and build upon last week’s EOs to rewrite the Trump Administration’s Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards (CAFE) and cancel the Keystone XL pipeline. U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) was quick […]

On January 25, the Senate Transportation Committee held a public hearing to take testimony on a proposal by PennDOT to begin tolling designated bridges in Pennsylvania.  Read more here. This initiative was approved by PennDOT’s Private Public Partnership Board (referred to as P3) at its November 20, 2020 meeting.  Read more here. At the Senate […]

On January 27, the departments of Transportation and Military and Veterans Affairs announced a new Pennsylvania law waives the requirement for Pennsylvania residents who are current and former military members and who operated a commercial vehicle as part of their duties, to take a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Knowledge Test when applying for a CDL. […]

The state Senate and House are moving quickly to take final action on a $912 million– primarily federal funded– COVID relief package for businesses, individuals and school districts.             Senate Bill 109 (Pittman-R-Indiana) was passed by the Senate last week, and sent to the House, which has already reported the bill out of the House […]

PPA is excited to announce the return of our monthly webinar series in 2021. This free webinar offering takes place the first Tuesday of every month. Some months will feature multiple webinar opportunities. The schedule includes these webinars that all start at 9:00 a.m.– — February 2: PA HVAC Home Improvement Financing: The Elephant in […]

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced the availability of approximately $46 million in Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grant funds to support projects aimed at reducing emissions from the nation’s existing fleet of older diesel engines. The deadline to apply is March 16. The funding can be used for these eligible diesel vehicles, engines […]

On January 29, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released updated recommendations and guidance to employers regarding procedures and practices to follow to mitigate the spread of COVID -19 in the workplace. Included in the announcement are several key recommendations– — Conduct a hazard assessment; — Identify control measures to limit the spread […]

Last week, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) reached a power-sharing agreement to establish Senate rules and procedure for the 117th Congress. The agreement comes after Senators Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) reaffirmed their opposition to eliminating the filibuster, thus maintaining the Senate’s 60-vote threshold for […]

It’s that time of year again for energy marketers to start preparing EPCRA Tier II reports for any facility storing petroleum during the 2020 calendar year. The Emergency Preparedness and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) of 1986 was created to help communities plan for and respond to chemical emergencies by requiring facilities to report […]

EMA’s continual pressure on the IRS to clear up the backlog of outstanding motor fuel refund claims owed to energy marketers looks like it has finally paid off. U.S. Senator Toomey’s (R-PA) office recently informed EMA that the IRS developed a new systematic method to process the backlogged claims, all of which were filed on […]

On January 28, General Motors announced it plans to become carbon neutral in its global products and operations by 2040 and hopes to transition to an all-electric future to eliminate tailpipe emissions from new light-duty vehicles by 2035. GM’s focus will be offering zero-emissions vehicles across a range of price points and working with all […]

In alignment with President Biden’s plan to respond to COVID-19, FEMA is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other federal agencies and coordinating with state, tribal and territorial authorities and private sector partners and others to assist, augment and expedite vaccinations in the United States. For more, see FEMA’s Role in […]

Bipartisanship accidentally broke out late last week in Harrisburg when the Senate and House and Gov. Wolf worked to move a $912 million COVID-related relief package for businesses, individuals and school districts.             Senate Bill 109 (Pittman-R-Indiana) passed the Senate and was reported out of the House Appropriations Committee putting it in position for a […]

Although neither the Senate and House were in voting session last week, Republicans took action to keep legislation to limit emergencies declared by a Governor to 21 days on track for a final vote so it can be on the May Primary election ballot.             21 Day Emergencies On January 22, as its first act […]

On Wednesday, among the many environmental policies that the new Administration is expected to reverse, President Biden signed an Executive Order revoking a critical permit for the Keystone XL pipeline. “The Permit is hereby revoked,” Biden’s executive order says. “Leaving the Keystone XL pipeline permit in place would not be consistent with my Administration’s economic […]

Before President Trump left office, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a total of three small refinery exemptions from RFS blending mandates (two waivers for the 2019 compliance year and one waiver for the 2018 compliance year). However, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily blocked implementation of the three refinery exemptions and gave EPA […]

EMA is working closely with the U.S. Departments of Energy, Transportation, Small Business Administration (SBA), Homeland Security, Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, & Emergency Response, the EPA, and the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) to mitigate any negative impact of the COVID19 coronavirus on energy marketers. The talks are a continuation of EMA’s ongoing emergency […]

U.S. refiners are issuing comprehensive documents to highlight their efforts to reduce GHG emissions through renewables. Click Here for the story. TAP HERE for all articles in January 25 EXPRESS Update

The University of California-San Diego Training, Research and Education for Driving Safety (TREDS) Program will hold a free virtual train-the-trainer workshop January 26 on distracted driving for CDL holders starting at 12:45 p.m. Just Drive: Deliver Distraction-Free engages audiences through a PowerPoint presentation that includes videos, participant interaction, and strategies to promote safe driving. Workshop […]

The Biden Administration last week, imposed a freeze on new and pending federal regulations. The freeze is designed to ensure that new and pending regulations are first reviewed by Biden appointees for consistency with the incoming Administration’s regulatory agenda before they take effect. The freeze is directly aimed at the flurry of regulations proposed or […]

On January 20, Joe Biden was inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States. At the top of President Biden’s policy agenda is COVID-19 relief and recovery. As outlined on January 14, the Biden Administration intends to pursue a $1.9 trillion COVID relief plan, which is expected to include an additional $20 billion for […]

On January 19, the Department of Health announced a major change to its Vaccine Distribution Plan saying anyone 65 or over could be vaccinated and people 16 to 64 could get the shot if they had other medical conditions like Type 2 diabetes. The changes follow late federal guidance from the Trump Administration.  Read more […]

The PPA has been in contact with PA DEP regarding various factors that are impacting the timing of annual storage tank registration fees and permit renewals. PA DEP highly recommends the use of the ePermitting Online Registration and Fee Payment website. For any company who does not use the online system, DEP is recommending they […]

Please participate in a brief survey to describe the impact that COVID-19 has had on your transportation operations. This information will assist the PPA in communicating industry needs to government officials. Click Here to take the online survey. TAP HERE for all articles in January 25 EXPRESS Update

PPA invites you to participate in one of our committees this year so your voice can help shape the direction of the Association on important topics and initiatives. The committees include– — Convention Committee: assists the Association in coordinating the various conferences that take place throughout the year as well as the annual membership meeting. […]

The House Republicans last week began to move key items on their legislative agenda out of committee, including six proposed amendments to the state constitution, while the Senate was still appointing committee chairs.             Gov. Wolf, and Democratic House and Senate leaders, pressed Republicans for action on a $145 million aid package to businesses affected […]

The National Energy & Utility Affordability Coalition (NEUAC) is circulating their annual association’s letter in support of full FY22 funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). EMA has joined the letter, but if states want to also sign on (in addition to being covered through EMA), the letter will be open briefly […]

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced it has delayed implementation of the higher penalty amounts for auto industries that do not meet fuel efficiency requirements. The delay will save the industry hundreds of millions of dollars. The fines were set to increase $14 from $5.50 for every 0.1 mile per gallon new cars […]

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Thursday it is proposing to extend the compliance deadline for 2019 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) to November 30, 2021 as well as the 2020 deadlines to January 31, 2022, and June 1, 2022. However, the EPA is unlikely to act on pending applications for small refinery exemptions from RFS […]

EEOC Permits Employers to Mandate COVID Vaccinations to Employees: Now What? As we approach the end of this tumultuous and uncertain 2020, there are strong signs that in 2021, life as we once knew it, will once again return to some level of normalcy. This means employers can look forward to re-opening their doors to […]

The Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Treasury Department announced this week that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) reopened to new borrowers and qualifying second time borrowers. Click Here for more information on the Second Draw PPP loans. TAP HERE for all articles in January 18 EXPRESS Update

On January 14, President-elect Biden announced a $1.9 trillion” American Rescue Plan” to combat COVID-19 and help American recover. Biden’s ambitious plan would send $1,400 stimulus checks to Americans; increase the federal minimum wage to $15/hour; and leverage $35 billion in government funds into an additional $175 billion in low-interest loans to entrepreneurs, particularly those […]

On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator (FMCSA) announced a new proposed pilot program for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers to evaluate two additional options for splitting sleeper berth periods – a 6/4 split and a 5/5 split. During the proposed pilot program, participating drivers would have the option to […]

In December 2020, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) hosted a series of live informational webinars on how to use the agency’s new online Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. The Clearinghouse is a secure online database that gives employers, the FMCSA, State Driver Licensing Agencies, and State law enforcement personnel real-time information about commercial CDL […]

The U.S. EPA is set to publish a proposed rule designed to make it easier to sell E15 from E10 certified equipment. The two prong rule addresses dispenser labeling and underground storage tank system compatibility. The first part of the rule seeks public comment on whether to modify, or eliminate altogether, the E15 dispenser warning […]

A revised EMA OSHA Injury and Illness Compliance Bulletin is now available and includes updated requirements for COVID-19 recording. According to OSHA, COVID-19 can be a recordable illness for employers who must comply with Injury and Illness reporting if an employee is infected as a result of performing their work-related duties. Recording a COVID-19 illness […]

On January 8, the Department of Health released an updated Vaccination Plan (Version 4) that follows the latest federal guidance on administering COVID vaccines.             Critical infrastructure workers in the energy sector are now in a new Phase 1C of the Plan after health care workers in Phase 1A and all adults aged 75 and […]

PPA would like to welcome new staff members Alan Mercurio, new Lead Technical Trainer, and Jessica Reeder, Program Administrator! Alan Mercurio will join the PPA as the Lead Technical Trainer for the PA Petroleum Association Technical Education Center (PPATEC). He brings over 30 years of industry experience in various roles and currently holds multiple HVAC […]

PPATEC is excited to announce the release of the 2021 PPATEC training schedule with over 50 courses taught by highly qualified instructors.             Courses cover air condition, electrical, gas, oilheat and transportation with many offering hands-on training and industry specific certifications.             Click Here for the full schedule and to register.  Please register early. If […]

On Friday, the Department of Health released an updated Vaccination Plan that follows the latest federal guidance on administering COVID vaccines.             Critical infrastructure workers in the energy sector are now in a new Phase 1C of the Plan  after health care workers in Phase 1A and all adults aged 75 and older as well […]

On January 6, PennDOT said that a new state law will provide opportunities that will give Pennsylvanians experiencing homelessness the ability to be issued a free identification card and Pennsylvanians with visual impairments improved access to obtain a driver’s license and will help improve roadway safety through updated commercial driver’s license requirements. Act 131 of […]

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently issued a waiver that allows states to waive until February 28, 2021, the 8-year limit to the validity period of the CDL, 1 year period of the Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP), the 14-day waiting period for a CDL test, and the requirement for a medical examination for those […]

Beginning April 1, 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act (FFCRA) required employers to pay sick leave and expanded medical and family leave to employees affected by the coronavirus. The mandate applied to companies with fewer than 500 employees and included partial exemptions for small companies with fewer than 50 employees. The FFCRA paid leave […]

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires employers with CDL drivers to register with and use the agency’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse to report, search and manage driver drug and alcohol records. The deadline to sign up for the Clearinghouse: That means motor carriers or consortia/third party administrators must register with and check the Clearinghouse […]

The 2020 posting cycle for OSHA’s workplace injury and illness reporting rule begins on February 1, 2021 and runs through April 30, 2021. The OSHA injury and illness recording and posting requirements apply to most establishments (workplaces) with more than 10 employees. OSHA requires employers to record and post all work-related injuries occurring during the […]

On Wednesday, the Department of Labor announced a final rule clarifying the standard for employee versus independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The effective date of the final rule is March 8, 2021. Independent contractors are not entitled to the federal minimum wage and overtime pay that covered employees receive under the […]

The National Biodiesel Board is hosting their virtual Rise Conference & Expo January 18 – 21. Learn more about an increasingly diverse mix of resources such as recycled cooking oil, soybean oil and animal fats, biodiesel and renewable diesel are better, cleaner fuels that are available now for use in existing diesel engines without modification. […]

The 117th Congress began on January 3, followed by Democratic victories in the January 5 Georgia U.S.. Senate runoffs. Democrats will control the White House, Senate, and House for the first time since 2011. The 50-50 Senate makeup, with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris casting tie-breaking votes, means that neither party will be able to afford […]

On Tuesday, the Senate and House returned to Harrisburg for the first time since November for the start of a brand new legislative session and spent their first– and only– day swearing in new members, adopting basic operating rules and made a start at getting organized.             In the House, things were relatively orderly in […]

On December 30, the Department of Transportation announced the expiration dates for commercial driver licenses and commercial learner’s permits will be extended for Pennsylvania residents in response to statewide COVID-19 mitigation efforts. The following products’ expiration dates will be extended: — The expiration date for a commercial learner’s permit scheduled to expire from March 16, […]

There are several changes to the 2021 federal motor fuel excise tax rates you should be aware of– — Oil Spill Liability Tax Extended – The federal Oil Spill Liability Tax (OSLT) set to expire on December 31, 2020 is extended through December 31, 2025. Refiners pay the $0.09 cents per barrel of crude oil […]

As reported last Monday, President Trump signed a $2.3 trillion funding package into law, which includes $1.4 trillion in government funding and $900 billion in COVID relief. The legislation extends the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and clarifies PPP expenses as tax deductible. The bill also provides $600 stimulus checks for adults […]

EMA continued its efforts last week to obtain a waiver extension for security background checks and fingerprinting requirements that CDL drivers must submit to state licensing agencies for renewal of expiring hazardous material endorsements (HME).             The requirements expired on December 31. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) first issued the waiver back in March due […]

The new year has the potential to see a fundamental reshaping of state government by those who now run the General Assembly.             With solid Republican gains in both the Senate and House, their efforts to curb the emergency authority of the Governor and to politically reshape state appeals courts through constitutional amendments will move […]

On December 21, 2020 the states of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and the District of Columbia signed onto a regional MOU to enter into the Transportation & Climate Initiative (TCI). Pennsylvania did not sign onto the MOU, but was a part of a joint statement to show support in the continued development of the policy. […]

McKonly & Asbury are hosting a December 30 webinar from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. on the latest COVID relief bill and what’s in it for business.             The webinar will discuss the most recent $900 billion COVID relief bill to provide financial relief to individuals and businesses.  It builds on an earlier summary prepared by […]

Last week Congress approved a $2.3 trillion funding package, which includes $1.4 trillion in government funding and $900 billion in COVID relief and President Trump signed the bill into law late Sunday. The legislation extends the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and clarifies PPP expenses as tax deductible. The bill also provides […]

The FMCSA has extended its waivers for renewal of CDL licensure, CDL learner’s permits and driver medical examinations and certificates that expired on or after March 1, 2020. The waiver is now extended through February 28, 2021. The FMCSA is also extending the waiver allowing state licensing agencies to not downgrade driver status due expiring […]

The IRS has issued the 2021 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business. Beginning on Jan. 1, 2021, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be 56 cents per mile driven for business use, down 1.5 […]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it is reopening the application process for the Higher Blend Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) for marketers seeking grants to install or upgrade higher blend ethanol and/or biodiesel fueling infrastructure. The application period opened on December 21, 2020 and ends on January 19, 2021. The purpose of the HBIIP program […]

On Monday, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) updated interim vaccine allocation recommendations. In Phase 1b, COVID-19 vaccine should be offered to persons aged ?75 years and non–health care frontline essential workers, and in Phase 1c, to persons aged 65–74 years, persons aged 16–64 years with high-risk medical conditions, and essential workers not included […]