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METH BILL COMPROMISE
The House passed a compromise proposal to regulate the retail sale of methamphetamines as part of the effort to reauthorize the PATRIOT Act, which will allow retailers to sell cold medicines without having a pharmacy onsite. SIGMA expects the Senate to vote today, most likely in favor of the proposal. If enacted, this legislation would allow c-stores to sell single-dose packaging of cold and allergy products without record-keeping. Retailers, however, will be required to keep a log of regular-sized packaging sales of these over-the-counter medicines (if they choose to sell these products). The log must include: the product sold, name and address of purchaser, and the date and time of sale.
2006 EDUCATION IN BRECKENRIDGE: SPEAKERS
The 2006 NPN/SIGMA/OPIS Executive Leadership Conference at Winter Management in Breckenridge, Colorado will feature the industry’s finest educational forum. We have lined up several expert speakers that you won’t want to miss. Confirmed speakers include: Gilbarco Veeder-Root President Martin Gafinowitz; Hot Stuff Foods President/CEO Des Hague; Royal Buying Group President/CEO Mike Zielinski; Ryko Manufacturing Co. President Scott Clawson ; Don Endres, CEO of VeraSun; Frank Fannon, Majority Counsel, Senate Environment and Public Works Committee; Bruce Harris, Minority Counsel, House Energy and Commerce Committee; and Margaret Caravelli, Majority Counsel, House Energy and Commerce Committee; Jack Pester, Pester Marketing Company; Carl Boyett, Boyett Petroleum; Rick Clark, Fastrac Markets LLC; Tom Robinson, Robinson Oil Co; Ben Brockwell, OPIS’ Director of Rack Pricing; Risk management expert Lewis Adam of ADMO Energy ; Stewart Spinks, Spinx Co.; Bill Meek, Martin Eagle Oil Co.; Joe Leto, president of Energy Analysts International; Bill Shipley, The Shipley Group; Kyle McKeen, CarterEnergy Corporation; Rod Smith, R.H. Smith Distributing Co.; Paul Rolniak with EAI International; Matt Pfister with Placid Refining; and Ken Gunn, President, Caliber Consulting. The meeting will take place January 22-25, 2006.
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EIA PREDICTS HIGH ENERGY COSTS THROUGH 2030
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) released a preview of its long-term energy outlook on Monday, predicting that crude oil prices will remain mostly in the $50 per barrel range through 2030. This estimation is about $21 per barrel higher than the reference case used in the 2005 forecast—perhaps the largest jump in EIA prediction history. This suggests that oil-dependent nations (such as the US) will continue to struggle with rising energy costs, especially if worldwide supply continues to stay tight. According to EIA, the ratio of energy expenditures to GDP will continue to decline as a result of greater energy efficiency, new technologies, and growth in other areas of the economy.
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WINTER LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE – DENVER, CO.
This year, SIGMA invites you to make your association even better by joining us for committee meetings held throughout 2006! Kick this year off right with the Winter Leadership Conference, set for January 19-20 in Denver, Colorado at the Brown Palace Hotel. This conference provides ample time for the Communications, Education, Legislative, Marketer Operations and Membership Committees to meet and discuss important issues facing motor fuel marketers in 2006. The intimate setting of SIGMA’s winter meetings allows each attendee to give their personal input on our legislative direction and like all other SIGMA meetings, Winter Leadership also provides ample opportunity to communicate and network with SIGMA leadership. You cannot afford to miss this year’s Winter Leadership Conference. Register today by filling out and returning the registration form to SIGMA. And don’t forget to sign up for your choice of SIGMA’s committees, too, using this form.
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NO WEEKLY REPORT NEXT WEEK
Weekly Report is not scheduled to be distributed next week However, if something important needs to be reported, we will certainly get a communication to you. Have a wonderful holiday! Happy New Year!
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ANWR FUTURE UNCERTAIN
Senators doubt the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) drilling provision, which would open the refuge to oil and gas exploration, will remain in the final version of the fiscal 2006 budget reconciliation bill. Currently, the House bill does not include ANWR drilling and it is doubtful Congress will reach an agreement on the controversial measure before recess, scheduled for Friday. It is possible the session could be extended into the week of Dec. 19 but until then, supportive ANWR-drilling Senators are searching for a new vehicle—possibly the defense bill or special Hurricane Katrina relief provisions.
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FEBRUARY SHARE GROUP
The SIGMA Best Practices Share Groups provide an interactive learning environment to continuously fine-tune your company’s business practices and processes through the collective knowledge of many companies. It’s a great way to learn from your peers, get the latest information on market data, and discuss how to use it effectively. Join your peers and exchange lessons learned, success stories and get current on your options to consider and deploy. SIGMA will hold this Share Group, “How to Ditch the Rack and Move Up the Supply Chain Profitably,” in Chicago on February 8-9, 2006.
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LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING IN DENVER
A Legislative Committee Meeting will be held on Friday, January 20, 2006 from 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at the Brown Palace Hotel in Denver, CO. Several important items will be discussed, including: 2006 implementation of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel program; SIGMA’s position on House and Senate legislation advocating reduced dependence on petroleum products (Crude, Gasoline, Diesel); and legislative initiatives to increase motor fuel supply, refining capacity, and transportation/storage infrastructure. Other key legislative issues that affect motor fuel marketers that will be discussed include: legislation to establish finished motor fuel "reserve;” federal legislative or regulatory definition of "price gouging;” support tax and regulatory reforms to encourage expansion of domestic refining capacity; support adoption of boutique fuels "slate" legislation; legislation to modify fuel waiver provisions and provide for federal pre-emption of state fuel specifications during emergencies; and legislation to reduce dependence on foreign petroleum products. This meeting is a part of the SIGMA Winter Leadership Meeting. Register today!
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SAN ANTONIO 2006
Education planning is already in the works for SIGMA’s 2006 Spring Convention in San Antonio, TX on April 27-30, 2006! SIGMA will once again team up with OPIS to provide 3 days worth of solid educational sessions. Here’s what we’re working on for the meeting: A 4-hour session on ULSD, including information marketers need to know before June 2006; Private Equity Funds—New Interest in Petroleum Marketing; Hedging in the New Pricing Environment; Biofuels and Growing Influence on Motor Fuel Economics; and CEO Strategy and Higher Level Thinking. Plus, a General Session filled with top notch speakers you won’t want to miss.
After the education sessions, there is time to play golf! The Westin La Cantera Resort in San Antonio offers two gorgeous golf courses which provide the best of both worlds to the business and leisure traveler.
The Resort Course at La Cantera opened in 1995 and lured the historic Texas Open, one of the oldest stops on the PGA Tour, to its greens that same year. The course, now home to the PGA Tour’s Valero Texas Open at La Cantera, is known for its breathtaking views. Winding through the Texas Hill Country, the course highlights spectacular views including a sheer, 80-foot drop from the 7th tee to the fairway and the downtown San Antonio skyline.
The Palmer Course at La Cantera opened in March 2001 and offers visitors a second 18-hole course, designed by Arnold Palmer and the Palmer Course Design Co. The 6,926-yard, par-71 magnificently scenic course is set in the Texas Hill Country and will challenge your skills from tee to green. Located adjacent to the existing Resort Course at La Cantera on 225 acres, this course provides golf enthusiasts with several signature holes. The jewel of The Palmer Course would certainly be the 15,300-square-foot clubhouse that overlooks the 18th green.
The Golf Academy at La Cantera, a Golf Digest school, features a custom-designed learning center complete with indoor hitting bay, covered tee areas and a spacious grass hitting area for both long and short game work. To set-up a tee time at either golf course, please call 1-800-446-5387. For more information on the SIGMA Spring Convention, please go to www.sigma.org. Register today!
SIGMA Weekly Report December 19, 2005 © Copyright SIGMA, 2005
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