COWBOY COOKOUT DINNER
Come on and join your fellow marketers during the SIGMA Spring Convention in Tucson for a rip-roaring, good old time at the Cowboy Cookout at the Coyote Corral — an upscale, fun “hee haw” of a barbeque with entertainment sponsored by Anheuser-Busch! Belly up to the bar and have a drink in the saloon and with fellow outlaws and gunfighters. The fire pit lights up on Friday, April 30 from 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.  Cost to attend is $100 per cowboy if you register NOW! Download the Special Events Form here! Plus, if you register for the SIGMA Spring Convention before March 19, you can save $50! The Spring Convention will be held at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort.

Tim Columbus and Lizzy Glidden from Steptoe and Johnson presented an exclusive SIGMA member webinar on the new RFS 2 rules on March 4. To view the PowerPoint and the presentation, please click on the links below.

RFS2 PowerPoint: RFS2 PowerPoint
To listen to the presentation: https://dtn.webex.com/dtn/lsr.php?AT=pb&SP=EC&rID=10740972&rKey=edc2d6b83aa938e7

CSP OUTLOOK LEADERSHIP

Bringing together leaders in their fields, Outlook 2010 is the platform for an extraordinary line-up of industry speakers.  From global, political and economic issues to innovative leadership strategies, Outlook 2010 is a key place for industry retailers to be! Keynote speakers include; Bill O’Reilly, Saj-nicole Joni, Peter Vidmar, and Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger. Outlook 2010 will be held in Salt Lake City on August 22-24 at the Grand America Hotel. For more information on the meeting or to register, go to www.outlookconference.com. The conference code is: gold.

March 5, 2010

 PMPA DECISION
On March 2, 2010, the Supreme Court determined that a franchisee cannot file suit under the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act (“PMPA”) for constructive termination if it signed up for a renewal of its franchise.  In the case, Mac’s Shell Service v. Shell Oil Products, the Court considered under what circumstances a service station operator could bring suit against an oil refiner or distributor for “constructive termination” under the PMPA.  Several gas station franchisees filed a lawsuit alleging that the franchisor had constructively terminated their franchises and constructively failed to renew their relationships by modifying the terms of their lease agreements. Essentially, the franchisees were arguing that the terms of the franchise agreement had changed so radically when terms were renewed, the original agreement was constructively terminated.  But the Court decided that if you sign up for another term, you haven’t been terminated, even if the terms of the agreement have changed.

 MORE PUSHBACK ON EPA’S GREENHOUSE GAS RULING
Companion bills were introduced in both the House and Senate on March 4 by coal-state Democrats. The measures would bar the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and other stationary sources for two years. Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV.) introduced his bill (S. 3072) in the Senate, and Reps. Nick Rahall (D-WV), Alan Mollohan (D-WV), and Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA) unveiled a companion measure in the House. This comes on the heels of a resolution put forth by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and forty other cosponsors to disapprove of and prohibit EPA’s current plan to regulate greenhouse gases through the Clean Air Act.

 HOUSE PASSES JOBS BILL
On March 4, the House approved a job-creation bill that extends surface transportation programs through the year, shores up the depleted Highway Trust Fund, and expands a popular infrastructure bond program. The House-passed bill was scaled back from a much larger measure in the Senate in an effort to speed it through Congress. You’ll recall that last week, the Senate passed a larger version of the House bill, a $15 billion package that would give payroll tax relief for businesses that hire unemployed workers. It also would extend the Highway Trust Fund, the “Build America” bond program and expense deductions for small businesses. The House revisions mean the measure will have to be reconsidered by the Senate.  The Senate is expected to take up the legislation (H.R. 2847) after it completes work on a package of tax policy extensions (H.R. 4213).

 BIODIESEL TAX CREDIT
Earlier this week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) introduced Jobs Bill II (H.R. 4213). In the bill, the one dollar per gallon biodiesel blender’s tax credit was included in the tax extender package. The biodiesel tax credit expired December 31, 2009. Congress will likely take action on the measure next week.

 DEMOCRATS READY TO MOVE HEALTHCARE
Congressional Democrats are completing a revision of comprehensive health care legislation that could garner enough votes to pass both chambers — most likely through expedited budget reconciliation procedures. This type of legislation would only require a simple majority of votes, fifty-one in the Senate and 2/3 of the House. Democrats were working on revised language that was being written jointly by House and Senate lawmakers and White House officials, but it is not yet clear what the final legislation will include.  House leaders aim to bring a final healthcare measure to the floor for a vote before Congress adjourns for its two-week spring recess, which begins March 26. 

 PLAN AHEAD FOR JULY
Make your plans now to come to Washington, DC, on July 19-21 and attend SIGMA’s Summer Legislative Meeting. The meeting will be held at the Park Hyatt hotel. For information, go to http://sigma.org/blog.

 LEVIN TO HEAD WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE
Representative Charles B. Rangel (D-NY) relinquished his position as Chair of the Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday after being admonished by the House ethics committee.  Representative Sander Levin (D-MI) will step in as the acting chairman of the committee.

 GENERAL COUNSEL: REGISTER NOW FOR TUCSON!
SIGMA is hosting an exclusive General Counsel Masters Program in Tucson, AZ, on April 28-30 in conjunction with SIGMA’s Spring Convention. At this meeting, industry experts will discuss: Contracts and Sales Agreements; PMPA; Employment Law Updates; and Credit, Collections, Dealer Issues, etc. Participants will gain a new network of peers that they can communicate with about the complicated issues they face on a daily basis. This program is for SIGMA marketer members’ General Counsel only. Those in attendance will also be eligible for CLE credits. For the latest information on the program, including the schedule and registration form, please CLICK HERE or visit http://sigma.org/blog.

 2010 SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
SIGMA is pleased to offer a scholarship program designed to assist in the education of marketers’ employees, their children and dependents of employees. This year, there are nine scholarships available totaling $18,000, thanks to the generous donations of ERI, TelventDTN, and Caliber Consulting! The program is open to college bound high school seniors. Undergraduate, Graduate and PhD students may also apply.  As part of the criteria, applicants must volunteer in community or school. The scholarships will be awarded in September. For more detailed information, visit www.sigma.org.

 CSP OUTLOOK LEADERSHIP
Bringing together leaders in their fields, Outlook 2010 is the platform for an extraordinary line-up of industry speakers.  From global, political and economic issues to innovative leadership strategies, Outlook 2010 is a key place for industry retailers to be! Keynote speakers include; Bill O’Reilly, Saj-nicole Joni, Peter Vidmar, and Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger. Outlook 2010 will be held in Salt Lake City on August 22-24 at the Grand America Hotel. For more information on the meeting or to register, go to www.outlook.com.

 SIGMA SPRING CONVENTION EDUCATION
The SIGMA Spring Convention is right around the corner. Make your plans now and register for this always fun and well attended event! In addition to peer networking, golf, and social events, we’ve planned some great education sessions that you can’t afford to miss. The Spring Convention will be held April 29 – May 2 at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson. Education descriptions below!

 THURSDAY, APRIL 28

Track 1
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.   
RFS2 Overview and Fuel and Bio Fuel Opportunities and Resources
This is a one-stop, jammed packed session with lots of market information. This session will start with an overview on RFS2, followed by collage of new fuel and bio-fuel business opportunities and resources. After you get an update on RFS 2 from GEVO, the Renewable Fuels Association will give you a quick business snapshot on what they can offer your business. Catch it all in one place!

 2:10 – 3:00
Mitigate Fleet Risks: Effective Fleet Safety Strategies for 2010 and Beyond
Rod Labbe, Federated Insurance
Do your drivers understand the root causes of most severe transportation accidents?  We’ll discuss case studies on speed management, objects in motion, liquid surge, technical rolling, outward tracking, driver training, hazard perception, visual searches, space and load management, night operation, extreme driving conditions, mechanical fatigue and vehicle maintenance, emergency maneuvers, skid control and recovery and accident/incident response. Attend this session and learn effective awareness programs to implement before lives are changed forever.

3:10 – 4:00
Building Your Supply Channel and Manage Risk
John Gretzinger, FC Stone
Diversity of supply is a business norm today and takes time, solid processes and tools to manage the risk. Attend this session and get a case study perspective that outlines recommended mix of supply deals and corresponding agreements. Understand what it takes to make it happen: capital requirements, people resources, accounting processes to name a few. The finale — risk management tools to manage your price risk and add value as you move up the supply chain.

 4:10 – 5:00
Captive Insurance: A Look Behind the Numbers
Gerald Johnson and Tom Stewart, Holmes & Murphy
Not having liability insurance is not an option. How you have coverage is.  Attend this session and get a perspective on the captive insurance — specifically, the definition of a “Group Captive” and the history. What are the various captive structures and when you have a claim, how are they handled?  All this “real world” information will be explained in a case study format.

 Track 2

 1:00 -2:00
Better Purchase Agreement for Better, Smoother Closings
Betsi Bixby, Meridian Associates
What Harvard and Wharton don’t teach you about petro M&A that you need to know: How to be powerfully effective at purchase agreement strategy and negotiation; The top 7 reasons acquisitions don’t close as agreed and how to avoid them; Argumentative clauses only attorneys love that unnecessarily create big legal fees; Most importantly — how to earn and deserve buyer trust in you and your agreement.

2:10 – 3:00
Forecasting Foodservice: What Lies Ahead in 2010?
Kevin Higar, Technomic, Inc.
Higher food costs, a slumping economy, increased awareness of health and nutrition: These issues came together, spurring an explosion in organic lines while at the same time squeezing sales at QSRs and fast-casual spots.  What’s in store for the rest of 2010, and how will c-store foodservice programs be affected? What are our threats and where are our opportunities?  How do branded foodservice programs fare against proprietary food programs?  Recognizing the new consumer patterns as they emerge will better prepare you to adapt your foodservice marketing strategy.

3:10 – 4:00
PCI: The Other Side of Compliance
Shekar Swamy, ATC Technologies
PCI compliance is a given.  There is no end line—this is a forever process. Attend this session and understand: Where do things stand today? Find out about key dates and more!  Staying compliant takes effort and understand that improved processes equals improved compliance—understand the link and how to! Get a clearer perspective from a best practice case study approach to validate your process and ongoing compliance

 4:10 – 5:00
Retailing an Alternative Fuel: Results from DOE’s Market Focus Group
The alternative fuel retail efforts keep advancing. When do you get involved and why? The effort will have opportunities, challenges and but also rewards. How are your peers looking at this opportunity? Attend this session and learn first hand what DOE market studies via focus groups have uncovered.

 Track 3

 1:00 – 2:00
Dealer Networks: Risks, Reward, Marketing and Support
David Zakrzewski, Coulson Oil; Rod Smith, RH Smith Distributing; Kerry Oliver, Carter Energy
Seventy plus percent of retail convenience stores are dealer operated. As your customer, their viability has a direct impact on your bottom line.  Supporting your customer through innovative programs takes work but has great rewards. Hear how marketers have: implemented dealer merchandise buying co-op’s, developed dealer maintenance programs, handled dealer diversity and recognized the evolving role of the dealer rep.

 2:10 – 3:00
Advancing Logistic and Supply Management Trends
Cathy Duncan, Telvent DTN and a Marketer Panel
Description to come

3:10 – 4:00
How the Banking World is Changing
Brad Yates and Davidson Hall, Stephens, Inc.
Brad Yates and Davidson Hall will discuss the state of the leveraged loan market from an issuer and lender perspective.  Topics of discussion will include return of the secondary leverage loan market, popularity of the “amend and extend” strategy, slight reemergence of the cash flow market, ABL market strength.  Across the high yield spectrum, we plan to discuss such topics as the overall resurgence of the high yield product, strategies for employing high yield bonds versus leveraged loans, discuss yields across various risk classes and where yields are projected to go over the next 6-24 months.

4:10 – 5:00
2010:  Union Organizing Update 
Steve Wheeless, Steptoe & Johnson
When 2009 rolled over to 2010, union organizing efforts did not go away. This session will cover: Labor law reform update: what did the unions get? What’s on the horizon? Union organizing activity by region; Union organizing tactics/themes/issues; and Employer response strategies. Be proactive and keep current—a must attend session.

FRIDAY, April 29

Track 1

1:30 – 2:30

Mitigating Environmental Litigation
Urs Broderick Furrer, Esq., Harriton & Furrer LLP; Jeffrey A. Johnson, Acton Mickelson Environmental, Inc. (AME)
As leaders in the distribution of petroleum products, marketers maintain a portfolio of retail fuel outlets that may have contributed contaminants to the environment; hence, environmental liability is a major cost of doing business. How major is the question? To keep costs in control attend this session and learn ways to mitigate costs and why doing so is important. Your will learn:  Why planning ahead can lower liability risk, what common mistakes today can prove costly in litigation tomorrow and tales from the trenches – defending environmental lawsuits

2:40 – 3:40
Maintaining Sales Before and After an Acquisition
Scott McLoughlin, Achievement Strategy
Marketers continue to acquire other marketers each year. For some, what they buy is not what the next value is to their company. Make sure you keep what you have and retain what you are buying. Attend this session and learn: How to stay focused on current business—retention and growth. What are transition opportunities and challenges? Plus, you will learn how to develop and retain and grow what you are buying and anticipate the business name transitions and logistical issues.

3:50 – 4:40
New Products in the Pipeline: CBOB and its Growing Influence in the Discretionary Blend Markets
Ben Brockwell, OPIS
Changes in the market can provide a marketer with plenty of opportunity. Ben Brockwell with OPIS will take you through the growing influence of CBOB in the market. Specifically, learn why “Gulf Coast” CBOB is becoming the primary reference for swaps transactions, and why using CBOB to make E-10 vs. 87 octane makes sense. Plus in the session, you’ll learn the adjustments pipelines are making for CBOB to allow easier trading

SATURDAY, April 30

8:30 – 11:30
General Session & Business Meeting

What Every Businessman Needs to Know About the Coming Financial ReforM
Robert Clark, Senior Partner at the law firm of Bracewell & Giuliani LLP
Robert Clark’s career provides a unique perspective on financial reforms. He will address what it is we are trying to fix, how far along we are in the process to make changes, and finally, what it means for lending.

Energy Alternatives:  What’s Real, What’s Not?  Implications for Producers, Marketers, and Consumers
John Hofmeister, retired President of Shell Oil Company and the Founder and CEO of Citizens for Affordable Energy
Change is scary to may people so the big question is—Why Change? Is this a flash in the pan? What will drive “real behavior changes? We all wish for a crystal ball—where would I as a marketer invest—targeted or a shot gun approach? Lastly, he will touch on how marketers can get involved and be “leaders” solving problems.

How Big is Big!
Bart Chilton, Chairman of the CFTC’s Energy and Environmental Markets Advisory Committee
Through effective oversight, the CFTC enables the futures markets to serve the important function of providing a means for price discovery and offsetting price risk. Given the past market events and adjustments needed, Bart Chilton will address from a CFTC perspective these topics: financial regulator reform, position limits on energy and commodities and whether or not exemptions should be revisited.

LUBES SHARE GROUP
Join us May 12 -13, 2010, for the SIGMA Share Group on Lubes/Lubrication at the Eaglewood Resort in Itasca, IL (15 minutes from O’Hare Airport). We’ll cover a variety of topics including: Market Trends and Benchmarks, Fixed Delivery Costs Model, “Green” Update, and Sales Development. For complete information, go to www.sigma.org.

MARCH 4 FREE RFS2 WEBINAR

Join Tim Columbus and Lizzy Glidden from Steptoe and Johnson for an exclusive SIGMA member webinar on the new RFS 2 rules on March 4 at 2:00 p.m. EST. On February 3, 2010, EPA issued a final rule to implement the renewable fuels standard mandated by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The new program known as RFS2, mandates 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels by 2022, with distinct obligations for advanced biofuels, biomass based diesel, and cellulosic biofuels. SIGMA Counsel will go over all of the issues covered in the memorandum that was distributed last week. The memo provides an overview of the changes to the previous renewable fuel standard and outlines the new requirements issued under the final RFS2. You are encouraged to review the memo prior to the webinar. It can also be found on www.sigma.org. THE WEBINAR IS FREE FOR SIGMA MEMBERS AND WILL BE HELD MARCH 4 AT 2:00 P.M. EST.

 Event address for attendees and to register:

https://dtn.webex.com/dtn/onstage/g.php?d=800865086&t=a.

 Once you register online, you’ll receive an email with all the call-in information and the link to join. If you have any question on the webinar, please call the SIGMA office at 703-709-7000.

February 26, 2010

CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE VERSION

JOBS BILL PASSAGE IN HOUSE UNCERTAIN
Earlier this week, the Senate passed a $15 billion jobs bill that would give payroll tax relief for businesses that hire unemployed workers. It also would extend the Highway Trust Fund, the “Build America” bond program and expense deductions for small businesses.  The Senate sent the measure for vote in the House where its chances of passage remain uncertain.  Last December, the House passed a massive version of the bill with a total cost of $154 billion dollar.  Many House liberals prefer the larger approach and are decrying the scaled down Senate product.  There is also an argument over highway spending.  Some lawmakers say only a few states would benefit from the Senate bill’s transportation provisions. Late Thursday, Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman James L. Oberstar (D-MN) proposed an alternative plan he said was more equitable among the states. Dissatisfaction with funding and other provisions have forced House leadership to scramble, but they hope to resolve the matters today.  As a back-up measure, the House passed another short-term extension (HR 4691) of numerous programs, including those for surface transportation, on Thursday. It would expire March 28.

 HEALTHCARE GOES NOWHERE
President Obama and congressional Democrats and Republicans debated health care reform for more than six hours Feb. 25, but as expected, the meeting did not bring the parties closer to an agreement on reform legislation. Without a bipartisan agreement, Democrats must decide how to finish work on reform legislation, including whether to use the budget reconciliation process in which only a simple majority vote would be needed to clear legislation in the Senate. That means Democrats will blend the massive House of Representatives bill (cost: $1 trillion), the lengthy Senate version (cost: $890 billion) and the White House plan announced Monday (cost: $1 trillion) and bypass possible procedural roadblocks to pass legislation solely with Democratic votes. Obama ended the session yesterday by saying Democrats and Republicans likely could agree on several reform issues, and he called on Republicans to provide solutions over the next month to six weeks on how to extend coverage to more Americans than under the House Republican bill. The President also rejected calls by Republicans to start over and craft an incremental bill, saying “baby steps don’t get you to the place where you need to go.”

 EPA WILL NOT REGULATE STATIONARY SOURCES THIS YEAR
According to Lisa Jackson, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the agency will not regulate any power plants or other major stationary sources this year for their greenhouse gas emissions. But the agency will begin issuing permits to these major emitters starting next year. Jackson expects that EPA will phase-in these permit requirements and regulation of greenhouse gases for larger stationary sources starting next year and that between the second half of next year and 2013, the permitting threshold will be “substantially higher than the 25,000-ton limit that EPA originally proposed.” EPA does not intend, she added, to subject the smallest sources to Clean Air Act permits for greenhouse gases any sooner than 2016. Jackson added that the impact of an effort by Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and others to offer a resolution to strip EPA’s ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions “would be significant.”

 GENERAL COUNSEL: REGISTER NOW FOR TUCSON!
SIGMA is hosting an exclusive General Counsel Masters Program in Tucson, AZ, on April 28-30 in conjunction with SIGMA’s Spring Convention. At this meeting, industry experts will discuss: Contracts and Sales Agreements; PMPA; Employment Law Updates; and Credit, Collections, Dealer Issues, etc. Participants will gain a new network of peers that they can communicate with about the complicated issues they face on a daily basis. This program is for SIGMA marketer members’ General Counsel only. Those in attendance will also be eligible for CLE credits. For the latest information on the program, including the schedule and registration form, please CLICK HERE or visit http://sigma.org/blog.

 MARCH 4 FREE RFS2 WEBINAR
Join Tim Columbus and Lizzy Glidden from Steptoe and Johnson for an exclusive SIGMA member webinar on the new RFS 2 rules on March 4 at 2:00 p.m. EST. On February 3, 2010, EPA issued a final rule to implement the renewable fuels standard mandated by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The new program known as RFS2, mandates 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels by 2022, with distinct obligations for advanced biofuels, biomass based diesel, and cellulosic biofuels. SIGMA Counsel will go over all of the issues covered in the memorandum that was distributed last week. The memo provides an overview of the changes to the previous renewable fuel standard and outlines the new requirements issued under the final RFS2. You are encouraged to review the memo prior to the webinar. It can also be found on www.sigma.org. THE WEBINAR IS FREE FOR SIGMA MEMBERS AND WILL BE HELD MARCH 4 AT 2:00 P.M. EST.

 Event address for attendees and to register:
https://dtn.webex.com/dtn/onstage/g.php?d=800865086&t=a.

Once you register online, you’ll receive an email with all the call-in information and the link to join. If you have any question on the webinar, please call the SIGMA office at 703-709-7000.

 LAST CHANCE TO SAVE $1000 ON STUDY MISSION TO BRAZIL!
Are you interested in participating in a study mission to Brazil with fellow motor fuel marketing leaders?  Reserve your space now for the 2012 SIGMA Study Mission! We are planning a trip to Ribeirão Preto, Brazil and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on February 21- February 28, 2012 with an Optional Extension to Buenos Aires, Argentina from February 28 – March 2, 2012.  Sign up by March 1 and SAVE $1000! A $100 deposit (fully refundable) will save you a space as we continue to plan the details of the trip. More details can be found on http://sigma.org/blog or the latest issue of IGM!

RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM: SPECIAL OFFER FOR SIGMA MEMBERS!
The Designated Risk Manager Training Program, March 22-24, was developed to target specific risk management concerns for the petroleum transportation and convenience store industries. Companies that are the most successful at controlling losses have designated a key person as their risk manager. This person is both responsible and accountable for identifying loss exposures and implementing risk management solutions. Through SIGMA’s partnership with Federated Insurance, there is no charge to attend this training and you do not have to be a current Federated client. Attendees, however, are responsible for air and ground transportation and lodging to and from Owatonna, Minnesota. The class is limited to 20 attendees.  Contact Jina Duchnowski at Federated with questions, (507)455-5604 or jmduchnowski@fedins.com.

 LUBES SHARE GROUP
Join us May 12 -13, 2010, for the SIGMA Share Group on Lubes/Lubrication at the Eaglewood Resort in Itasca, IL (15 minutes from O’Hare Airport). We’ll cover a variety of topics including: Market Trends and Benchmarks, Fixed Delivery Costs Model, “Green” Update, and Sales Development. For complete information, go to www.sigma.org.

 ELC SURVEY: WE NEED YOUR RESPONSES!
SIGMA would greatly appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to fill out the survey for the 2010 Executive Leadership Conference that was held in Vail, Colorado this past January! Please CLICK HERE and it will take you right to the first page of the online evaluation. Or you can access the online Executive Leadership Conference survey directly by going to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RVKNML6. The time you take today to complete the survey will allow us to provide better programs for you in the future! We need as many responses as possible.

 MOTOR FUEL OUTLET TOUR IN TUCSON
PLEASE NOTE: The Motor Fuel Outlet Tour at the 2010 Spring Convention has been moved from Thursday morning to Friday, April 30 from 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm. The time change will allow for more attendees to participate. The Motor Fuel Outlet Tour is a great opportunity to get out and see the areas interesting and innovative retail sites. The afternoon tour will be guided by our sponsor, MPSI. This tour requires a separate fee and signup. A list of sites on the tour will be available soon. For more information contact the SIGMA office. The SIGMA Spring Convention will be held April 29- May 2 at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, AZ. For more information on the meeting and to register, go to http://sigma.org/blog.

The Designated Risk Manager Training Program, March 22-24, was developed to target specific risk management concerns for the petroleum transportation and convenience store industries. Companies that are the most successful at controlling losses have designated a key person as their risk manager. This person is both responsible and accountable for identifying loss exposures and implementing risk management solutions. Through SIGMA’s partnership with Federated Insurance, there is no charge to attend this training and you do not have to be a current Federated client. Attendees, however, are responsible for air and ground transportation and lodging to and from Owatonna, Minnesota. Contact Jina Duchnowski at Federated with questions, (507)455-5604 or jmduchnowski@fedins.com.

For information on the new RFS2 Rules, please click on the following link: NEW RFS2 RULES INFORMATIONAL MEMO

February 12, 2010

CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE VERSION

MORE CHALLENGES TO EPA RULING

As you know, EPA announced a finding in December that greenhouse gas emissions endanger public health and welfare and that cars and light trucks cause or contribute to the emissions. As a result, EPA intends to begin regulating greenhouse gas emissions as early as March.  More challenges to the finding came this week as twelve House Republicans and 17 associations and companies filed a lawsuit in federal appeals court challenging the finding (Linder v. EPA). The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on February 10 by the Southeastern Legal Foundation on behalf of the members of Congress and the organizations. The Atlanta-based foundation filed a petition for reconsideration of the finding with EPA in December and is filing a supplemental petition that, according to the foundation, includes disclosures of scientific errors and fraud in the finding. This lawsuit comes on the heels of a House bill introduced last week that aims to amend the Clean Air Act to make clear it does not allow for regulation of greenhouse gases as it relates to global climate change.  It would also amend the 2007 Energy Bill to stop EPA from calculating land use changes in foreign countries in the implementation of the renewable fuel program, and would seek to help the biofuels industry by broadening the definition of renewable biomass.

JOBS BILL ON TAP AFTER PRESIDENTS’ DAY RECESS

Senate Democrats stripped extensions of several energy tax incentives from their first jobs bill hoping a narrower package will move more quickly. The package is now made up of four parts: a one-year extension of the current highway and transit law; Build America Bonds, which make it easier for state governments to borrow money for public works projects; tax credits for employers who hire new workers; and a provision to allow small businesses to write off the cost of some capital investments. It is unclear whether Republicans will latch on to this proposal, which does not include extensions of tax breaks, a promise to debate the estate tax or other items they have been advocating. The House passed a roughly $150 billion jobs package in December. The jobs legislation will be one of the first items on tap when lawmakers return to work the week of February 22.

DEMOCRATS ANNOUNCE NEW PROPOSALS TO REGULATE CAMPAIGN SPENDING

This week, Democrats announced a sweeping new set of proposals to regulate campaign spending by corporations, unions, and other entities. Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) outlined a broad response to a Supreme Court ruling last month that held corporations cannot be barred from direct spending around elections. They intend to introduce legislation in the House and Senate during the week of February 22, with the goal of enacting it before the midterm elections in November. The two lawmakers are proposing a ban on expenditures by foreign-controlled corporations. They also want to bar direct expenditures by corporations that have received funds through the Troubled Asset Relief Program until after those funds are repaid, and bar election-related spending by federal contractors. Other proposals include new rules for disclosure of election-related spending, both to the government and to shareholders; new disclosure requirements for campaign expenditures by registered lobbyists; and requirements that CEOs appear in the broadcast ads funded by their corporations and attest to them in the same manner that candidates must endorse their own ads under existing federal election law.

SPRING CONVENTION TOURS

The 2010 SIGMA Spring Convention will be held in Tucson, AZ, at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort on April 29 – May 2, 2010. Several tours are being offered for you and your guests! On Thursday, April 29, the Motor Fuel Outlet Tour will travel throughout the Tucson area to see interesting and unique motor fuel retail sites. On Saturday, you can choose from two different tours. On the Sabino Canyon Tour, attendees will enjoy a breathtaking outdoor tram ride through Sabino Canyon, which is nestled in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains. At the PIMA Air & Space Museum, you can explore aviation history at the home of the largest privately owned collection of historical aircraft in the country.  More than 250 military and civilian aircraft are on display, along with engines, flight simulators, uniforms and other aviation memorabilia.  For more information or to register, go to http://sigma.org/blog.

LUBES SHARE GROUP

Join us May 12 -13, 2010, for the SIGMA Share Group on Lubes/Lubrication at the Eaglewood Resort in Itasca, IL (15 minutes from O’Hare Airport). We’ll cover a variety of topics including: Market Trends and Benchmarks, Fixed Delivery Costs Model, “Green” Update, and Sales Development. For complete information, go to www.sigma.org.

SIGMA has planned a new program specifically designed for marketer members’ general counsel that we are offering for the first time in conjunction with the Spring Convention in Tucson.  This is a truly unique masters program that we have put together based on member input. At this first meeting, industry experts will discuss: Contracts and Sales Agreements; PMPA; Employment Law Updates; and Credit, Collections, Dealer Issues, etc. Participants will also gain a new network of peers that they can communicate with about issues they face on a daily basis that are important to your company.  Please pass this information along to the appropriate people in your company or let us know who they are and we’ll provide them with the details. Download a registration form by clicking HERE.