LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

SIGMA is the premier trade association for independent marketers of gasoline and diesel fuel in the federal legislative and regulatory arenas. SIGMA’s members, and its outside law firm, Collier Shannon Scott, have been at the forefront of every major regulatory and legislative battle of interest to motor fuel marketers for the past twenty years. SIGMA pursues the following principles in government relations:

Maximize both motor fuel supply and the number of motor fuel suppliers, including imported finished product, to assure independent marketers enjoy adequate supplies of gasoline and diesel fuel and can choose from a wide variety of suppliers for their products.
 

Minimize the impact of federal legislation and regulations in independent marketers of motor fuel.
 

Assure that all segments of the motor fuel industry are abiding by the same rules, particularly in the area of tax collection and compliance with environmental regulations, to prevent one segment from gaining an unfair competitive advantage over another.

SIGMA has been extremely successful over the years in representing its members’ interests before Congress, EPA, DOT, and other federal agencies. For example:

SIGMA supported Congress’ moves to require that both diesel fuel and kerosene be taxed or dyed in order to prevent excise tax evasion.
 

SIGMA has led the fight in Congress against state excise tax evasion by Native American tribes and continues to press for a comprehensive solution to this important problem.
 

SIGMA has been the primary agitator for full and fair enforcement of the 1998 UST upgrade deadlines, including supporting legislation to increase funds for enforcement of the standards and urging EPA to strictly enforce the 1998 upgrade deadline against all parties, including state and local governments.
 

SIGMA has consistently, and successfully, opposed legislative and regulatory attempts to increase the cost of imported motor fuel in this country in order to preserve imports as a viable and plentiful supply option for independent marketers.
 

SIGMA acts as the primary voice of independent marketers on all legislative and regulatory issues impacting on motor fuel supply and distribution. SIGMA has testified before Congress and federal agencies on numerous occasions on the impact of federal regulations on motor fuel supply, distribution, and costs.