CALENDAR OF EVENTS
JUNE 2019
Northern New England Energy Conference June 23-25 Cliff House Cape Neddick , ME Web : www . nnenergyconference . com
Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Summer Leadership Conference June 24-25 CONA Avalon Avalon , N . J . Phone : 717-939-1781 x 110 Web : www . papetroleum . org
Propane Gas Association of New England Summer Meeting June 26-28 Water ’ s Edge Resort & Spa Westbrook , CT Phone : 888-445-1075 Website : www . pgane . org
SEPTEMBER 2019
NEFI Heating & Energizing America Trade Show September 15-18 Rhode Island Convention Center Providence , R . I . Phone : 617-804-2222 Email : jessica @ nefi . com Website : www . nefi . com
related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations .
The letter to Wheeler , dated May 7 , 2019 , reads :
We request you immediately end the practice of granting Small Refinery Exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard for large or unqualified refiners . Recently , the Environmental Protect Agency updated its public SRE list , bringing the total number of approved SRE requests to 54 since President Trump took office without a single denial . This unprecedented rate of granting waivers is a betrayal of our rural communities , detrimental to our energy security , and threatens our entire agricultural sector at a time of declining incomes and rising debts for our producers . EPA must halt this process and reallocate waived gallons as the law intends .
The RFS requires renewable fuel to be blended into petroleum-based fuel in increasing amounts each year from its introduction up to 36 billion gallons of blended fuel by 2022 , with blending targets for following years to be set by EPA . Continually granting unjustified SREs and failing to reallocate the waived gallons effectively lowers annual blending targets , contrary to the letter and intent of the law . These waivers increase market uncertainty for biofuel producers and farmers – and ultimately every American consumer . At a time when our rural communities are already hurting , these SREs have caused a loss of 2.6 billion gallons of renewable fuel blending and almost a billion bushels of corn demand .
Granting exemptions to the RFS increases American dependence on foreign oil . By continually waiving the requirements of the RFS for small refineries , the EPA fosters uncertainty about the program creating uncertainty for those interested in investing and developing America ’ s biofuel industry . Further it disincentivizes refineries from taking the steps necessary to begin to meet the standards set by the RFS and make domestic biofuels available to consumers .
The right decision is clear . We request the EPA stop granting improper SRE requests immediately and distribute the gallons waived in previous years .
� FMCSA SEEKS COMMENT ON PROPOSAL TO ALLOW 18- TO 20-YEAR-OLDS TO OPERATE CMVS IN INTERSTATE COMMERCE
A pilot program that would allow drivers ages 18-20 to operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce is under consideration by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration , which announced that it is seeking public comment on the proposed program . Comments must be received on or before July 15 , 2019 .
The Federal Register Notice , including how to submit comments , is available here : https :// www . federalregister . gov / documents / 2019 / 05 / 15 / 2019-09944 / commercial-drivers-licenses-pilot-program-to-allow-drivers-under-21-to-operate-commercial-motor
Currently drivers 18-20 may operate CMVs only in intrastate commerce . In July 2018 the USDOT announced the details of the Commercial Drivers Pilot Program required under the Fixing America ’ s Surface Transportation Act , which allows certain 18- to 20-year-olds with military training to operate CMVs in interstate commerce .
This new action requests comments on a second pilot program to allow non-military drivers ages 18-20 to operate CMVs in interstate commerce . FMCSA requests comments on the training , qualifications , driving limitations , and vehicle safety systems that FMCSA should consider in developing options or approaches for a second pilot program for younger drivers
“ Commercial trucks and buses are essential to a thriving national economy , and the Department wants to ensure the public has an opportunity to comment on this important potential change ,” said U . S . Transportation Secretary Elaine L . Chao .
“ We want input from the public on efforts that offer the potential to create more jobs in the commercial motor vehicle industry , while maintaining the highest level of safety . We encourage all CMV stakeholders to submit comments on a potential interstate pilot program for younger drivers ,” said FMCSA Administrator Raymond P . Martinez . l FON
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4 JUNE 2019 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www . fueloilnews . com