SIGMA Advocacy
A voice for you on all legislative and regulatory issues affecting our industry
You are part of a growing number of independent fuel marketers who are participating in political engagement and advocacy activities on behalf of SIGMA and our industry.
As the primary voice of independent marketers, SIGMA and its Counsel have been at the forefront of every major regulatory and legislative battle of interest to fuel marketers for over thirty years.
Your involvement is critical as SIGMA works to further the interests of our industry while serving as a source of information for the Federal Government. SIGMA lobbies on behalf of its members at the federal level on legislative and regulatory matters. However, the best advocates for the industry will always be those operating within the industry.
Therefore, SIGMA needs you to engage and build relationships with your elected leaders to educate and advocate on behalf of specific company needs, as well as the industry as a whole.
SIGMA advocates for its members on all legislative and regulatory issues that have an impact on transportation fuel supply and distribution. SIGMA has testified before Congress and federal agencies on numerous occasions on the impact of federal regulations on supply, distribution, and costs. In addition, SIGMA hosts an annual Summer Legislative Meeting and Day on Capitol Hill. These meetings help to advance SIGMA’s Congressional relationships and increase the visibility and awareness of fuel issues.
Find out more Membership Benefits
SIGMA provides the tools our members need to keep their competitive advantage in the marketplace. These resources include documents, archived meeting presentations, and connections to the best and brightest in the industry – the SIGMA members. Many of these are for members only – you must be logged in to have access.
SIGMAPAC
Recognition Levels | |
|---|---|
Chairman’s Club | $5,000 |
President’s Club | $2,500 – $4,999 |
Premier Club | $1,000 – $2,499 |
Contributors | $100 – $999 |
Important Contribution Information
Contributions to SIGMA PAC will be used in connection with federal elections, are subject to an annual limit of $5,000 per individual, and are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. All contributions must be from personal funds and may not be reimbursed or paid by any other person or entity. Contributions from foreign nationals are prohibited. Contributions from federal contractors, and the treasury funds of corporations, labor unions and national banks are prohibited. Contributions to SIGMA PAC are for political purposes, participation is completely voluntary, and you have a right to refuse to contribute without reprisal. Any guidelines which may be suggested are only suggestions and you are free to contribute more or less than the guidelines, and no one will be favored or disadvantaged in their membership because of the amount of their contribution or their decision not to contribute. Federal law requires us to use our best efforts to report the name, mailing address, occupation and name of employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 in a calendar year. If you do not believe you were an intended recipient, please disregard this solicitation and notify SIGMA PAC by emailing Amy Rider at [email protected]
Transportation Energy Policies
SIGMA’s members sell approximately 80 billion gallons of motor fuel each year. The integration and regulation of renewable fuels into the motor fuels marketplace presents several opportunities and legal challenges for fuel marketers and retailers. Under the RFS, the Environmental Protection Agency sets an annual benchmark representing the amount of renewable fuels that each fuel refiner, manufacturer, and importer (collectively, “obligated parties”) is responsible for generating. Obligated parties must attain a particular number of renewable fuel credits, known as Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs), to show that they comply with the RFS program. RINs therefore are the currency for trading and compliance. SIGMA supports the sound administration of the RFS program and ambitious fuel obligations that incentivize the commercial adoption of lower-carbon liquid fuels.
Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs): The RFS program requires EPA to establish Renewable Volume Obligations for each calendar year by November 30 for volumes in the following year. As Congress and the regulatory agencies consider renewable fuels issues, it is important for them to consider SIGMA’s experience and knowledge of the marketplace. SIGMA supports EPA assessing the state of the fuel market, evaluating external policy developments, and using this data to set appropriate blending levels. EPA should ensure that renewable fuel mandates do not exceed the volume of renewable fuel that the market could reasonably absorb. Conversely, EPA should set the mandate high enough to account for renewable fuel production taking place.
eRINs: EPA has the authority to write regulations initiating Electric Renewable Identification Numbers (eRINs) as a qualified pathway under the RFS. In 2022, EPA proposed a framework for how eRINs would be permitted under the RFS. The proposal would allow automakers to generate a RIN when electricity is produced from qualifying renewable biomass. SIGMA strongly opposed EPA’s proposed approach on eRINs, which would allow only automakers to generate the credits. The RFS has worked to bring more biofuels to market by incentivizing retailers to invest in equipment that makes the use of those biofuels profitable for the retailer, and sold at a lower cost to the consumer. eRINs have the potential to do the same for the development of widespread electric vehicle (EV) charging structure.
Policymakers have utilized energy tax credits to incentivize the use of alternative fuels and displace petroleum-based products. Fuel retailers have demonstrated in recent years that they are prepared to invest in any transportation energy technology that their customers desire. As Congress considers more ways to incentivize third party investment in alternative fuels, SIGMA supports incentives for alternative fuels are tech-neutral and allow fuel retailers to compete on a level playing field.
Biofuel Tax Credits: The “Section 40A” Biodiesel Tax Credit, which accrued to biodiesel blenders, expired on December 31, 2024. On January 1, 2025, the novel “Section 45Z” Clean Fuel Production Credit, a tax credit for biofuel producers, took effect. The Section 45Z Credit provides a credit of up to $1.00 per gallon for the production of over-the-road biofuels (e.g. biodiesel, renewable diesel), and a credit of up to $1.75 for the production of sustainable aviation fuel. The precise value of the credits is calculated based on the environmental attributes of the fuel. The 45Z Credit also provides a higher credit rate for sustainable aviation fuel than lower carbon over-the-road fuels. This disparate treatment will cause feedstock migration from renewable diesel and biodiesel production to sustainable aviation fuel and therefore raise prices for fuel and all goods transported by truck without any additional environmental benefits.
On January 10, 2025, the Treasury Department issued long-awaited, preliminary regulations implementing the Section 45Z Credit, which was enacted under the IRA. The rulemaking partially implements the complex new credit, though many aspects of implementation were left to the Trump Administration. The 45Z Credit is facing implementation challenges in 2025. SIGMA continues to urge lawmakers to extend the Biodiesel Blenders’ Tax Credit to avoid disruptions to the fuel supply.
E15: Enhancing the current supply of motor fuel can mitigate higher crude costs and lower prices for all American fuel consumers. Gasoline blended with up to 15 percent ethanol (“E15”) lowers prices, diversifies supply, improves gasoline’s emissions profile. An arcane provision of the Clean Air Act limits some regions of the country from selling E15 during the summer months. E15 should be allowed to be sold year-round throughout the country. SIGMA will continue to advocate for year-round E15 legislation such as the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act to be enacted into law in the 119th Congress.
Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure: As EVs enter the market, an electric charging infrastructure will be created to provide alternative fuel options to motorists. The fuel marketing industry is an indispensable asset to decreasing the carbon footprint of transportation energy. SIGMA members offer convenient real estate locations and the services, amenities, and security that consumers have come to expect alongside the refueling network. SIGMA members can efficiently build a reliable and safe network of EV charging stations, provided they can compete in a fair and competitive market. The most effective way for policymakers to prompt investment in EV charging stations is to establish policies that will incentivize the existing refueling network to incorporate fast EV charging into their suite of fueling options. Initiatives such as the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program help fuel marketers more quickly identify a pathway to profitability in EV charging.
The Section 30C Credit is a long-standing, technology-neutral tax credit for the installation of alternative refueling infrastructure, including hydrogen stations and electric vehicle “EV” charging stations. SIGMA has long argued that 30C Credit is a well-crafted tax policy designed to prompt technology-neutral investments in alternative refueling infrastructure.
Hydrogen: Many SIGMA members are actively expanding their hydrogen capabilities in response to market and federal policy signals. Hydrogen-powered trucks would leverage existing refueling infrastructure and a supply chain familiar to the industry: centralized production and transportation to market, along with retail fuel sales through a network of well-functioning and convenient refueling locations. As transportation energy retailers and distributors, SIGMA members will rely upon hydrogen producers to provide an economical supply of clean hydrogen in the years ahead. SIGMA has advocated for Congress to continue to maintain, and ensure the efficacy of, the Section 45V Credit for hydrogen production. Properly implementing the Section 45V Credit will contribute to the development of competitive, reliable hydrogen supply chains in the coming decades.
Highway Trust Fund Sources: The Highway Trust Fund (HTF) is funded primarily by the 18.4 cents/gallon motor fuel excise tax and 24.3 cents/gallon diesel excise tax, which are paid by motorists when they purchase fuel. The HTF is used to fund investments in U.S. infrastructure, such as highways and bridges. Owners of EVs, however, do not pay these taxes (and hybrid owners only pay a percentage), despite using the roads in the same manner as gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles. SIGMA supports long-term, sustainable funding for federal highway programs. All vehicles that use the roads should pay their share of infrastructure costs.
SIGMA opposes tolling on existing Interstates as a means of raising infrastructure revenue. The privatization of highways could dangerously alter the playing field for many business-owners along the nation’s highways. Congress should reject ineffective, inefficient methods of raising money for the highway program.
Rest Area Commercialization: Off highway communities – which rely on the motoring public for survival – derive much of their commercial activity and tax revenue from healthy off-highway businesses, like those of SIGMA’s members. The ban on rest area commercialization has been critical to the livelihood of businesses that are located near the highway and the communities that depend on their tax dollars. SIGMA opposes rest area commercialization as the ban on such activities has been critical to the livelihood of businesses that are located near the highway and the communities that depend on their tax dollars. SIGMA members have made substantial business decisions relying on the prohibition on rest area commercialization. Overturning the ban would result in commercial activity being diverted from off-highway communities to on-Interstate locations, killing off-highway business, and taking needed tax revenue from localities.
Environment and Climate Policies
Fuel Economy Standards/Internal Combustion Engine Bans: SIGMA opposes policies that ban ICE vehicles and mandate certain numbers of EVs. Instead, SIGMA supports market incentives that follow fair and complete analyses of the carbon consequences of different vehicles to avoid negative economic and energy security outcomes that can arise from centrally planned technology bans or mandates.
Environmental Social Governance (ESG): A growing number of investors see global climate change as an investment risk that needs to be accounted for in their decision-making. They are, therefore, incorporating ESG factors into their risk analyses. These factors can include climate change, carbon emissions, resource scarcity, and pollution. Consideration of these issues is not new, but ESG analysis is now an essential component of financial analysis used by the world’s biggest investors. If U.S. or international policymakers begin integrating ESG metrics into standard reporting obligations, it could meaningfully impact marketers who do not currently capture this information. It could also negatively impact access to capital for operational or expansion purposes.
State-Level Initiatives
Transportation Energy Policies: Beyond federal policies, SIGMA members can also utilize state incentives for the installation of renewable fuel infrastructure, or for blending renewable liquid fuels into the fuel supply. Many states, particularly in the Midwest, have enacted incentives for renewable fuel blending or infrastructure. Other states have enacted, or are considering, incentives for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) that threaten the supply of advanced over-the-road renewable fuels. In the coming years, state incentives for renewable fuels are likely to have a growing impact on the diesel market and fuel supply more broadly. The most expeditious and economical way to achieve environmental advancements in transportation energy technology, both at the federal and the state level, is through market-oriented, consumer-focused policies that encourage SIGMA members to offer more alternatives.
In addition, Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) programs are being considered in many state legislatures. An LCFS sets declining greenhouse gas targets for fuels. The LCFS assigns a Carbon Intensity (CI) score for each fuel in commerce and then determines a benchmark for its use each year. All types of transportation fuel brought into the fuel system are measured against this standard. Fuels with CIs below the benchmark generate credits, and fuels above result in deficits. Regulated parties under the LCFS, such as refiners, petroleum importers, and wholesalers, must comply with quarterly and annual reporting requirements by matching their credits with their deficits. Those without enough credits must purchase them to meet their obligations.
SIGMA members should be viewed as surrogates for the consumer in that they identify the most reliable, lowest cost transportation energy available, and deliver that energy to every community in the country. Proposals such as LCFS programs, however, will directly impact the fuel marketing industry in terms of additional costs, market access, and business planning.
Environment and Climate Policies: As fuel marketers, SIGMA members are directly affected by state policies that seek to address climate change by lowering the carbon intensity of transportation energy. Many states with Democratic governors are likely to accelerate policies designed to electrify, or decarbonize the fleet in the coming years. Fuel marketers should be prepared to engage in policy discussions at the state and regional level that may ultimately have national implications.
Trade Policy
Many of the Trump Administration’s proposed tariffs could significantly affect fuel marketers by increasing the cost of imported crude oil and refined products, among other commodities like agricultural products. These higher costs would likely result in elevated prices for consumers and added strain to the fuel supply. SIGMA is closely monitoring the potential impact of any proposed tariffs on the fuel supply.
Business Taxes
Many components of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) signed into law by President Trump are slated to expire at the end of 2025. Congressional Republicans have made extending the expiring provisions a top priority for the 119th Congress. Among other issues, lawmakers are likely to consider extending or altering the 199A deduction, estate tax exemption, and bonus depreciation. SIGMA is closely engaged in tax discussions on Capitol Hill and continues to advocate for business tax policies that are beneficial to the fuel marketing industry.
Payment Systems
Swipe Fees: Banks and credit card companies collect fees from retailers on transactions involving virtually every consumer product. Historically, for fuel marketers, this fee has been about two percent of every credit and debit card sale, though many marketers pay higher effective rates. In high-price environments, the credit card industry often makes more money than retailers on the sale of each gallon of gasoline. Not only is the amount of the fees too high, but marketers have no opportunity to negotiate these fees with the card companies or issuing banks, and they have no realistic choice as to whether to accept most cards due to the market power of the card associations. SIGMA is a member of a broad coalition of retail interests looking to address these market concerns, the Merchant’s Payments Coalition (MPC). SIGMA supports legislation that would promote competition in credit card networks with the goal of addressing excessive swipe fees.
Payments Security and EMV: Payments security is a serious concern for retailers who spend over $6.5 billion each year trying to protect against card fraud. Fraud rates, however, continue to rise in the United States because of outdated payment card technology. Because of this, and despite retailers’ significant security investments, merchants bear the brunt of fraud costs. Retailers— unlike consumers whose liability for fraudulent charges on credit cards is capped at $50 by law—are not protected from getting hit with chargebacks connected with fraudulent transactions. SIGMA has advocated for policymakers to reform the current payment card standards process to ensure that fuel retailers are able to provide input. Retailers should be able to require a PIN or other advanced authentication technology for credit and debit card transactions, including those that occur on a mobile device.
Data Security, Breach, and Privacy: Over the past several years, many businesses and government agencies have suffered security breaches that have resulted in the theft of personal information from millions of customers. Banks, the government, technology companies, and credit reporting agencies, in addition to retailers, have all suffered security breaches affecting millions of people. Meanwhile, financial institutions are calling for retailers to bear the costs of card re-issuance after a data breach.
Concerns have also been mounting about the voluntary sharing and selling of consumer information by businesses. Congress, in turn, is examining data privacy issues along with data breach and data security issues.
SIGMA advocates for privacy and data security laws to cover every business sector based upon the sensitivity of the data handled without loopholes for favored industries.
Tobacco Policy
The average convenience store/motor fuel marketer derives approximately one-third of its in-store sales from tobacco product sales. The Tobacco Control Act gave the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate the manufacture and retail sale of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. Since then, FDA’s authority has extended to e-cigarettes and synthetic nicotine. The implementation of legislation or regulations that affect retail tobacco sales impacts many SIGMA members. SIGMA is concerned with efforts that could increase illicit trade of tobacco products, including limiting the sale of flavored tobacco (including menthol cigarettes) and nicotine in combustible cigarettes.
Food Policy
Convenience stores owned and operated by SIGMA members play an integral role in providing food assistance to their customers, particularly in rural and urban communities where economically challenged Americans have few places to shop for food. SIGMA advocates for small format retailers like SIGMA members to continue to be able to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). In order to participate in SNAP, retailers must meet certain eligibility requirements, including “Depth of Stock” rules.
Labor Policy
Joint Employer Standard: When a “joint employer” business relationship exists, two or more companies would be jointly liable for federal labor law violations. Whether or not an employer is considered a “joint employer” with respect to a specific employee is particularly important in the fuel marketing space. Questions about what constitutes joint employment often arise under the oil brand- branded outlet or franchisee-franchisor business model, which is extremely common in the convenience and fuel marketing business and the retail sector more broadly. Many SIGMA members utilize these business models, and SIGMA closely monitors all government efforts to reclassify workers.
Independent Contractor Issues: Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, employees are entitled to minimum wage, overtime, and other pay benefits. Independent contractors are not, though they generally have more flexibility to set their own schedules and work for multiple companies. Many SIGMA members utilize independent contractors, and SIGMA closely monitors all government efforts to substantially rework regulations that govern their employment.
Managerial Exemption from Overtime Requirements: As employers, SIGMA members will be affected by any changes to rules governing overtime pay, since many SIGMA employees work unpredictable hours doing a variety of different types of work. In particular, many upper-level management and executive personnel at fuel retail locations occasionally perform non-managerial duties. This flexibility is critical not only for businesses to maintain reliable, customer-friendly service and operations, but also for employees’ ability to professionally grow. It is even more essential in times of tight labor markets. SIGMA supports the threshold set by the first Trump Administration to determine which workers are exempt from overtime compensation.
Retail Crime
The safety of SIGMA members’ employees and customers is a top priority for SIGMA. SIGMA Members, who deal with both cyber and in-store criminal activity, support legislative and regulatory action to combat retail crime on both fronts.
About us
SIGMA: America’s Leading Fuel Marketers is the national trade association representing fuel marketers & convenience store chain retailers in the United States & Canada.
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