New EMA Member Service Benefit: You Need Drivers. EMA Can Help
The Energy Marketers of America has partnered with the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) to provide a new member benefit to help your company get drivers on the road. The ACE (Administrative Compliance Experts) Services Program guides individuals through the Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
What does ACE do?
Serving as the FMCSA Registered Training Provider, ACE handles:
FMCSA paperwork and filings
FMCS audits
Training materials and training equipment guidance to meet FMCSA requirements
ACE will save you thousands of dollars – up to $3,000 per driver – AND help you cut through all the red tape.
To begin enrollment, please click HERE and when prompted, enter the Energy Marketers of America as your ACE Network Partner.
Learn more about how ACE works, how much it costs, and how you can enroll your company by viewing EMA’s webinar from October 24, 2024.
| Click Here to View the EMA ACE Webinar |
Please contact ACE at 202-466-7203 or eldt@npga.org if you have any
questions.
“Our company has had many drivers go through the program… ACE keeps
all of the records for you and allows you to keep it in house. Simple,
easy, cost effective. An absolute unbelievable program. To me, signing
up for ELDT and utilizing the ACE program is a no-brainer” – Damon
Gibson, CHS
While Members of Congress returned to their states and districts this week for April recess, key staff remain at work in Washington to iron out the details of Republicans’ multi-trillion-dollar tax, spending, and debt limit bill.
Congressional committees have largely kept major proposals under wraps as congressional leaders decide how to pay for the cost of extending President Trump’s 2017 tax cuts and several of his 2024 campaign promises. However, Republicans appear to be searching for additional revenue, as the White House and key Members of Congress have reportedly begun considering allowing an increase in the top income tax rate on high earners as a potential offset for other Republican tax priorities. Notably, during an event in Iowa this week, former Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) raised using an increase in the top rate to offset the cost of expanding the Child Tax Credit, another Republican priority. Nevertheless, several congressional Republicans including Sen. Dave McCormack (R-PA) have expressed opposition to allowing the top rate to increase, potentially jeopardizing the proposal.
Several other committees have also started work on their portions of the reconciliation package. The House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee is scheduled to mark up its portion of the bill on April 30. Proposals may include an annual $150 fee for electric vehicles to pay into the Highway Trust Fund, which is estimated to raise between $20 billion and $40 billion over 10 years. Additional committee markups are expected in early May.
Meanwhile, President Trump and his cabinet continue to drive activity in Washington. Last week, Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) sent a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. on the impact of staff layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services impacting the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Sen. Markey and several other lawmakers demanded Kennedy take “immediate steps” to restore the program. Democrat-led concerns over funding cuts and staffing levels are likely to persist in the coming weeks and months as the White House is expected to release the annual President’s Budget Request by mid-May. The request is expected to include significant proposed cuts to federal programs and recissions to existing funding. While Congress is not bound to follow President Trump’s budget request, the request is likely to feature prominently in annual appropriations discussions on both sides of the aisle.
EMA is pleased to report that the Governors of Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Missouri, South Dakota, and Wisconsin have asked EPA to issue emergency supply waivers for E10, allowing the sale of E10 gasoline in their States with a 10-psi RVP. If granted, refiners would no longer be required to produce 7.8 RVP base gasoline for E10 to meet the RVP limits in those States, and 9.0 RVP base gasoline with the one-pound waiver could be used throughout the Midwest.
“[W]e are requesting that if EPA issues emergency waivers for E15, those waivers also allow E10 to exceed the applicable RVP standard at 40 CFR 1090.215(b)(3)(ii) by 1 psi,” the Governors’ letter stated.
EMA has been collaborating with its Central Region to share key market insights with state and federal decision-makers to emphasize the need to avoid fuel bifurcation and to minimize retail price hikes that disproportionately affect small business marketers and consumers. In March and April, EMA met with EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation, while Central Region associations advocated at the state level to maintain fuel fungibility in the Midwest. EMA anticipates that EPA will grant the Governors’ request, but it likely will be tied to the Agency issuing a nationwide waiver for the sale of E15 gasoline this summer.
The request also underscores the need to provide long-term regulatory parity for E15 blends. Current federal regulations limit the sale of E15 fuel during the summer months in many regions across the U.S due to RVP restrictions. While E10 benefits from a 1-psi RVP waiver under the Clean Air Act, E15 does not receive the same exemption. However, EPA has issued emergency E15 waivers in each of the past three years to prevent gasoline supply disruptions and price spikes during heightened summertime demand. The continuation of these waivers is supported by the Trump administration.
EMA will continue advocacy efforts with the EPA, as well with Congress and industry stakeholders on a legislative solution for E15 blends. EMA will continue to advocate for comprehensive policies that maximize fungibility, consider infrastructure compatibility, and minimize retail fuel price volatility.
“EMA welcomes this request from the Midwestern governors to avoid worsening the fuel bifurcation situation caused by their States’ RVP opt-out,” said EMA President Rob Underwood. “Forcing a special boutique fuel blend in the Midwest to accommodate higher ethanol blends has already resulted in price spikes in the region, including in non-petitioning states.” “EMA greatly appreciates the efforts by its Central Region with the statehouses,” added Underwood.
EMA Joins Letter Urging DOL to Withdraw and Rescind the Overtime Rule
On Monday EMA joined a coalition of like-minded businesses, the Partnership to Protect Workplace Opportunity, in a letter to the Department of Labor urging rescission of the Biden-era overtime final rule as part of its review of all regulations under DOL’s purview required by Executive Order 14219, Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the President’s “Department of Government Efficiency” Deregulatory Initiative.
The letter explains that the regulation, if kept in effect, would have damaging effects on businesses, entrepreneurs, and workers, including creating unnecessary uncertainty, additional regulatory and administrative burdens, inflationary pressures, and diminished flexibility. In addition, the regulation falls under multiple categories outlined in the Executive Order as undermining the national interest. Lastly, withdrawing and rescinding the rule would align with the Trump administration’s deregulatory agenda and save the agency significant resources.
EMA’s annual Washington Conference and Day on the Hill will be held in Washington, DC from May 14-16 at The Mayflower Hotel. Our industry continues to have many important legislative and regulatory issues to discuss, and the Day on the Hill remains the primary focus of this conference for you to meet with your members of Congress and network with other marketers from across the country!
Hotel reservations will close the earlier of April 23 at 6:00 pm Eastern or when the room block is sold out. Tuesday night (5 available), Wednesday night (12 available), and Thursday night (11 available). We will most likely SELL OUT.
Registration must be received by April 23 to be included in our hotel guarantee.
| Click Here to Register and Book Your Hotel Room for EMA’s DC Conference and Day on the Hill |
EMA PAC Silent Auction is Open!
EMA Small Business Committee (SBC) PAC Co-Chairs Mike Downs and Tim Keigher would like to thank Ned Bowman and Florida Petroleum Marketers Association, Inc. for donating a Storm Japanese Crystal Whisky Decanter and 2 Glasses.
The Storm Japanese Crystal Whisky Decanter and Glasses are stylish, high-quality whiskey glasses designed for an elegant and sophisticated drinking experience. It’s made from ultra-clear, lead-free crystal for maximum clarity and a nice weight. The unique, slightly oval shape and grooves on the exterior ensure a comfortable and secure grip, while the textured exterior contrasts with the smooth interior. The glass is also designed to maintain the perfect temperature of the whiskey. Every Sip is a Journey and Every Glass Tells a Story.
We want to remind you about our format for the Annual Silent Auction and Raffle. This is our seventh year with C2Auctions. They will organize the EMA PAC Silent Auction during our EMA Day on the Hill Conference. All EMA members are eligible to participate from anywhere in the United States if they download the C2Auction App on their mobile phone. The PAC auction event is now live.
To access the bidding platform:
Text the word EMA to 71760
Click the text message reply link
Follow instructions to complete your registration
Once you have accessed your account, browse all items or search by item name to begin bidding. On each item, you will see various options:
Bid: Bid at the pre-assigned increment
Watch: Clicking "Watch" will put this item in your "My Items" box in the menu for easy access
Set Auto-Bid: Allows you to set a maximum bid. As others bid on this item, the system will automatically increase your bid, up to your maximum bid limit.
As you enter a winning bid or are outbid, you will receive a message alerting you of your status. You will be notified at the end of the Silent Auction if you are a winning bidder!
The Auction will take place in conjunction with EMA’s Washington Conference May 14-16. Auction bidding will begin April 14 and will close during the conference on May 16 at 9:00 am. The auction items will be displayed at the Welcome Reception on May 14. Last year, there was tremendous support in auction contributions and PAC Co-Chairs Mike Downs and Tim Keigher urge your participation this year as well!
If you have items that you would like to contribute to the EMA SBC PAC Silent Auction or the MDF Fall Auction, please click here or contact Sabrina Pitcher at 703-351-8000.
Purchase MDF Raffle Tickets Early to Win the Latest iPad Air (M3)
Get your Energy Marketers of America (EMA) Marketer Defense Fund (MDF) raffle tickets now for a chance to win an iPad Air (M3) – Tech Specs.
The EMA MDF will hold a raffle during the Washington, DC May 14-16 conference. The winner will be identified on May 16 and the winner does not have to be present to win. If you are not attending the conference and you are the raffle winner, you will be notified the week following the May drawing.
The iPad Air display has rounded corners that follow a beautiful, curved design. Built into your iPad, Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.
The proceeds of the raffle will benefit the EMA MDF. Tickets are $50 each or three for $100. Advanced tickets are available until May 13. Ticket sales will continue at EMA’s conference in Washington, DC until the drawing on May 16. Tickets can be purchased with personal or corporate funds by MasterCard, VISA, American Express, cash or check (checks should be made out to the Energy Marketers of America Marketer Defense Fund). You can donate online by clicking here. To purchase tickets before May 14, please email completed form to Sabrina Pitcher so that we can place your name on a raffle ticket.
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Federated Insurance Risk Management Academy
Webinar
Lithium-Ion Batteries Electric Vehicles (EVs): Thursday, May
15, 2025, 2:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time
Lithium-ion batteries are often used in everyday devices like laptops, smartphones, power tools, and vehicles. Even though they are efficient and portable, increased use of these batteries can lead to risks if they are not cared for properly. Workplace fires can result from misuse, damage, improper storage, or overcharging. Attend this webinar to learn how to help reduce lithium-ion battery fire risks at your business.
What you will learn:
Charging Safety
Storage/Transportation Safety
Usage Safety
Inspection Criteria
Electric Vehicles / EV Maintenance Concerns
Advanced registration is required for this 30-minute webinar.
For additional information or to discuss this in further detail, please contact your Federated regional representative or EMA’s National Account Executive Jack West at 262.719.7750 for any additional information or risk management questions. Federated is a Partner in EMA’s Board of Directors Council.