MEMBERS:

Michael Smith II  |  Midwest Terminal, Chair

Gary Logan  |  PMAA Director

Brent Clark  |  John W. Clark

Bill Dublinski  |   BP

Steve Harper  |  Harper Oil

Charles Key  |  Keystops

Jack Newcomb  |  Newcomb Oil

Leah Taylor  |  Cumberland Lake Shell

On May 17-19, 2017, hundreds of petroleum marketers from across the U.S. gathered in our Nation's Capital for the PMAA's most important grassroots government affairs event. With a new Congress and a new President, PMAA's annual Day on the Hill Conference is a critical event to help make a positive difference for our industry.

Representing KPMA was Chairman Michael Hardy,

PMAA Director Gary Logan, and Executive Director Brian Clark.

The KPMA group met with all 8 Senate and House delegates from Kentucky on the following issues:

Our top issue was Swipe Fee Reform since the CHOICE Act, which contains language to repeal the Durbin amendment, was scheduled to be on the House Floor the week following the Day on the Hill. Our meeting day was very timely and a great opportunity to press members of Congress on how critical it was to maintain the Durbin language. Additionally, educating Congress on the RFS and the immediate need to reduce the ethanol mandate was a top priority. 

KPMA Chairman Michael Hardy, Executive Director Brian Clark, and David Samford of Goss Samford PLLC, testified at two Transportation Committee Hearings in Frankfort. The KPMA panel advocated for continued funding of the Collection & Evaporation Allowance, the Petroleum Storage Tank Environmental Assurance Fund (PSTEAF), and answered legislators' questions at meetings of the House Working Group on Transportation (Friday, 9/29) and the larger Interim Joint Committee on Transportation (Tuesday, 10/3).

KPMA members in attendance included Gary Emmick and Josh Emmick (Valor Oil), Mark Sweet and Dow Porter (Shield Environmental), and Steve Harper (Harper Oil). To watch the KPMA's testimony from 10/3, please click here.

KPMA showed its support for a proposed revision to Kentucky's State Implementation Plan (SIP) for Reformulated Gas (RFG) Opt-out in Northern KY at the Energy and Environment Cabinet's public hearing on Thursday, August 24 in Florence, KY. Harper Oil's Steve Harper and KPMA's Brian Clark and Stephanie Stumbo were present to deliver the KPMA's formal letter of support and additional letters from KPMA members in support of this SIP change.

The hearing was brief and supportive comments were presented; no comments in opposition to the change were made. The SIP submittal will was sent to the EPA for final approval to opt-out of RFG in Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties.

If approved, this represents is a significant victory for our industry as KPMA, NKY Chamber and area supporters have been working to eliminate the program for a number of years. KPMA has played a critical role in KyDAQ relations, and in coordinating the effort, with Harper leading a regional RFG Working Group on the issue.

"A lot of people told me they didn't think we could do this and that it would be a difficult to thing to get accomplished," said Harper. "For a while, I thought that was the truth, but here we are."

In its letter, KPMA stated its support of the Cabinet's position that removal of federal RFG requirements in the Boone, Campbell, and Kenton Counties will not interfere with the state's efforts to abide by obligations in nonattainment and maintenance areas. Advances in fuel and vehicle technology have reduced motor vehicle emissions, and, as a result, RFG as a control measure is no longer necessary in these counties.

In a letter sent to the EPA on July 21, Secretary of the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet Charles G. Snavely indicated a final request will be submitted by early September. While there is no timetable for a response, the support of the Cabinet carries a lot of weight and supporters are optimistic the EPA will act in a timely manner.

Meetings, Breakfast, & Events

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