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SIGMA Legislative Meeting First thing Saturday morning, SIGMA’s Legislative Meeting packed the Gold room to the brim, where marketers and other interested parties participated in the committee discussion of: (1) 2006 Congressional Election Results and What They Mean for Independent Marketers in the 110th Congress; (2) State BioFuels Mandates and Avenues for Federal Legislative Action; (3) Media and Federal Legislative Attention to Retail Motor Fuel Temperature Compensation; (4) Underwriters Laboratories Notice on E-85 Dispenser Certification; (5) Changes
in Spot Market Pricing Methodologies; (6)Association Position on New Ozone Non-Attainment Standard under Development at EPA. Other items in the agenda include credit card interchange rates; minimum wage, EPAct 2005; Stage II Vapor Recovery, and ULSD.
SIGMA announced the formation of an Alternative Fuels Task Force during the Legislative Meeting. The Task Force will act as a forum for marketers to discuss issues with the retailing of ethanol blends, including E-85, and biodiesel blends and will be chaired by SIGMA Board Member Michael Newman. In addition to acting as a clearinghouse for information on retailing alternative fuels—such as the recent controversy surrounding UL certification of E-85 dispensing equipment—the Task Force will also liaise with the Legislative Committee regarding the development of SIGMA positions on legislative and regulatory initiatives regarding alternative fuels. Regular and Associate SIGMA members and other interested parties interested in participating on the Task Force should contact SIGMA Executive Vice President Ken Doyle at kdoyle@sigma.org or SIGMA counsel Tim Columbus at tcolumbus@thescottgroupdc.com
The fuel topics (both biofuels and conventional) continued throughout the afternoon’s educational sessions. SIGMA, NPN and OPIS held various workshops on ethanol, biodiesel and ultra-low sulfur diesel to just name a few. Consumer Energy Alliance Executive Director David Holt explored some of the factors that move world crude markets and how regulations are driving the demand for gasoline blendstocks while 25-year oil industry analyst veteran Scott Berhang evaluated current market trends and analyzed market forces likely to impact 2007, including spot and rack markets and margins in the upcoming year. Most of the handouts from the meeting are available on SIGMA’s website.
Although BP put on a tough show to top on Friday, SIGMA did not disappoint with its industry-renowned All Industry Reception on Saturday night. SIGMA meeting attendees enjoyed a cirque-desole extravaganza with contortionist and jugglers—some on stilts!—which set the atmosphere for a fun and relaxing cocktail
event. Featuring finest in food category, the reception’s best included caviar and signature food from around the world.
Thanks to Marathon Petroleum Company, LLC the Dessert & Cordial Party on Saturday night left attendees glowing from head-to-toe with content and neon necklaces! Embraced by an electric ambiance, folks enjoyed a night cap with their choice of dessert; some with their own personal crème brulees burnt to order by the Fairmont Chef. Other dessert stations also enticed, including the chocolate fountain or just plain ole chocolate cake—just ask Don Borzilleri.
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