FUELIowa Magazine: March / April 2023

ON THE COVER

1,158 gas stations in Iowa that can’t sell E15 without infrastructure replacement involving a combination of tanks, product, lines and dispensers will need to plan for the implementation of the E15 Access Mandate.

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING REMAINS PRIORITY ONE

Infrastructure funding remains FUELIowa’s number one legislative priority. Specifically, we are requesting an increase to the Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Grant Program (RFIP) Appropriation from 10 million to $17.92 million.

We are also seeking an increase in the individual grant opportunities from $50,000 or 70 percent of cost to $160,000 or 75 percent of cost.

The recent message conveyed to the leadership of the Iowa Senate and House and members of the Appropriations and Agricultural and Natural Resources committees is not without foundation.

The ethanol interest groups proposing the Nebraska E15 Access Standard have proposed a $150,000 cost share grant program to incentivize retailers to make upgrades and offer E15. The Nebraska proposal does not require the installation of E85 compatible equipment.

The USDA grant programs targeting E15 infrastructure investment provides applicants the opportunity to receive up to $160,000 for a project involving replacement of 4 dispensers, 1 product line and 1 underground storage tank.

FUELIowa is committed to advancing the goal and requirements of the E15 Access Standard Act. We are committed to the sale of liquid fuels. Success requires for all stakeholders to recognize increases in the RFIP grant funding and cost share incentives will assist the Iowa retail distribution network to upgrade their infrastructure.

We look forward to continuing to make the business case for an increase in the RFIP grant appropriation and an increase in the individual grant opportunities.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chris Biellier Associate Director

Seneca Companies Davenport | 563-332-8000

Chad Besch Director New Cooperative

Algona | 515-295-2741

Don Burd Director

Otter Creek Country Store Cedar Rapids | 319-533-1825

Ronald N. Langston President & CEO FUELIowa 515-224-1599

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Joseph Zietlow Chair Kwik Trip, Inc La Crosse, WI 608-793-6484

Keith Olsen Vice Chair Olsen Fuel Supply Atlantic 712-243-2340

Tessa Fahey Treasurer Rainbo Oil Dubuque 563- 526-1179

Bev Jessen Past Chair Johnson Oil/ Cylinder Express Battle Creek 712-365-4740

Nathaniel Doddridge Director Casey's General Stores Ankeny | 515-446-6239

Tia Eischeid Director Al’s Corner Oil Co Carroll | 712-673-2723

Wade Fowler Associate Director Core-Mark Midcontinent, Inc. DBA Farner-Bocken Carroll | 641-777-0308

Steve Kimmes Director Kimmes Enterprises LLC Carroll | 515-681-7890

Nate Lincoln Director Lincoln Farm and Home, Inc. Glenwood | 712-527-4833

Dave Reif Director Reif Oil Company Burlington | 319-752-9809

Scott Richardson Director Key Cooperative Roland | 515-291-0623

Navigating the Future For E15

Summertime Sales Update

By John Maynes, Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs

According to the most recent version of Iowa’s Annual Retail Motor Fuel Gallons Report released in April of 2023, E15 sales account for a shade over 6 percent of Iowa’s total gasoline sales. According to the same report, of Iowa’s 2,002 stations where gasoline is sold, 325 are offering E15 with an overwhelming majority of the 325 sites offering E15 owned by three companies.

Although E15’s current market share is low, the emerging gasoline-ethanol blend has the attention of both federal and state policymakers. E15 enjoys several inherent advantages which make it an attractive option in the liquid fuels market. First, ethanol is the cheapest octane additive in the market and the addition of ethanol to a gallon of gasoline lowers the price as the volume of ethanol increases. Second, ethanol provides environmental benefits when displacing gasoline. Last, ethanol

is sourced from corn, creating a homegrown energy source which provides tremendous value to our partners in the agriculture industry. E15’s support among federal and state policy makers has led to the passage of laws directly influencing E15’s place in the gasoline market. Since 2007, biofuels have enjoyed a federal mandate requiring petroleum refiners to sell certain volumes of biofuels via the Federal Renewable Fuel Standard. E15 plays a key role in the federal renewable fuel standard’s objective as its mandate requires refiners to displace their gasoline sales with volumes of ethanol exceeding 10 percent.

In 2022, the Iowa Legislature passed the Biofuels Access Standard which included provisions requiring gasoline retailers in Iowa to offer E15 absent a gasoline retailer providing proof of eligibility for one of the three waivers available in the new law. Also included in the legislation was a 9 cent-per-gallon, fully refundable, state income tax credit available to a retailer for each gallon sold. Paired with the existing 6 cent-per-gallon state excise tax incentive for E15, E15 will now enjoy a 15 cent-per-gallon tax incentive package over more common gasoline products like E10 and E0.

In the retail fuel industry, price drives consumer purchasing habits. With the tax incentive package handed-out for E15, lawmakers are banking on that belief holding true and guiding E15’s growth in the gasoline market. If the historical growth of E10 is any indication, in the years to come we can expect to see E15 take on a similar growth path.

We are already seeing signs that

the policies guiding E15 are facilitating growth. Conversations about investments into E15 are being had daily. Iowa’s three largest retailers own and operate the vast majority of the sites selling E15 and have shown no signs of slowing down their investment into the product, largely driven by the incentive package offered by the state of Iowa.

For the 1,158 gas stations in Iowa that can’t sell E15 without infrastructure replacement involving a combination of tanks, product, lines and dispensers, the question becomes how do I plan for the implementation of the E15 Access Mandate?

Step one involves retrieving your annual gasoline sales (all grades combined) during calendar year 2020, 2021, and 2022. If your annual sales in these three years did not exceed 300,000 gallons, you are eligible to apply to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) for a waiver from the E15 Access Standard. If you determine your site does not qualify for a waiver based on your gasoline sales, your next step is securing an Iowa licensed petroleum equipment installer (licensed installer) to assess the compatibility of your existing gasoline storage and dispensing infrastructure with E15. If the result of an assessment by a licensed installer is that your system is compatible with E15, Iowa DNR form 542-1336 will need to be filed with the Department of Natural Resources, and your insurance provider, 30-days prior to offering E15.

Sales of E15 at your facility must commence by January 1, 2026. If the result of your compatibility assessment proves required equipment upgrades are necessary to store and dispense E15, your licensed installer should start by documenting the age of your underground storage tanks. If the newest underground storage tank on site meets the following criteria, you may apply to IDALS for a waiver from the E15 Access Standard: Along with the assessment of your tanks, licensed installers should prepare a cost summary showing the costs to make E15 available at a single dispenser. If your cost to make E15 available at a single dispenser exceeds $71,430, you may apply to IDALS for a waiver from the E15 Access Mandate. This waiver form is not yet available.

If your site is granted a waiver under any of the scenarios described above, the waiver is valid through 2041 or until such time you replace a storage tank at your facility. If a storage tank is upgraded at your facility, upon replacement of a

new tank, you are required to offer E15 at 50 percent of your gasoline dispensers.

In addition to Iowa’s RFIP, the United States Department of Agriculture is expected to offer a series of grant opportunities mirroring their High Blend Infrastructure Incentive Program. In 2022, President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law. Included in the Act was a $500M appropriation for infrastructure investment into High Blend Biofuels.

restricts the Reid Vapor Pressure of gasoline sold at retail locations between June 1 and September 15 to 9 psi. Because the addition of 10 percent ethanol to gasoline raises the RVP of the finished blend by 1 psi, Congress granted E10 a 1 psi summer RVP waiver during its regulatory control period of June 1 – September 15.

For members with gas stations not qualifying for one of the waivers above, you have until January 1, 2026 to make E15 available at a single dispenser at your facility. Fortunately, there are grant programs available to assist gas station owners with offsetting a portion of the infrastructure costs mandated by Iowa’s 2022 E15 Access Standard.

The Iowa Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Grant Program (RFIP) offers applicants a cost-share equal to the lesser of $50,000 or 70 percent of the cost attributable to infrastructure upgrades for E15. Applications may be submitted to the program at any time. The RFIP Board of Directors meets periodically to review and approve grant applications. This program is not a competitive grant program although preference for funding is given to facilities which do not qualify for one of the waivers under the E15 Access Mandate.

During the 2023 Iowa Legislative Session, FUELIowa is advocating for an increase in funding to the RFIP along with an increase in the eligible cost-share for retailers.

FUELIowa is proposing to raise the cost share eligibility for a retailer under the program to 75 percent of cost or $160,000, whichever is less.

FUELIowa believes the appropriation will be parceled out in five $100M increments with the first release of funds slated for the late spring or early summer of 2023. In contrast with Iowa’s RFIP program, historically, USDA grant programs have been competitive grant programs. Although the competitive nature of previous USDA grant programs has favored awards for higher volume retail chains, the USDA grant programs have been the most lucrative grant programs to date providing grant dollars to offset the infrastructure costs associated with marketing high blends of biofuels like E15. FUELIowa continues to advocate with USDA for the protection of small businesses under their grant programs.

FUELIowa members with interest in either the Iowa RFIP or USDA grant program are encouraged to contact John Maynes in the FUELIowa office.

The final unknown surrounding E15 has been the uncertainty encompassing the sale of E15 during the summer months. Federal regulation

Unfortunately, Congress has yet to extend the 1 psi summer waiver to include E15. Congressional inaction on the issue is largely due to politics. Led by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, a coalition of eight Midwestern Governors frustrated with Congressional inaction have petitioned EPA to rescind the 1 psi RVP waiver for E10 in their respective states. Their petition was recently approved by EPA but implementation delayed until 2024 leaving the question of whether E15 can be sold during the summer of 2023 in doubt.

The Midwest Governors along with national ethanol trade associations have threatened to sue EPA over their decision to delay implementation until 2024. Litigation surrounding this issue is unlikely to be resolved in time to provide clarity for parties in the gasoline distribution chain prior to EPA’s June 1, 2023 retail deadline.

The last option for summer sales of E15 comes in the form of emergency waivers issued by President Joe Biden. President Biden has the

authority to issue emergency fuel waivers in 15 day increments. Last summer, in response to the war in Ukraine, President Biden issued a series of emergency waivers during the summer, relaxing summer gasoline RVP restrictions and allowing the sale of E15 during the summer months.

FUELIowa anticipates the President being asked to take similar action once again this summer. However, the President’s authority to issue the 15 day waivers is tied to emergency conditions. In recent statements from government officials, no decision will be made on whether the President will exercise his authority to grant the waivers

until much closer to the June 1 regulatory compliance date. Stay tuned on the issue of E15’s eligibility to be sold summer of 2023.

Infrastructure and Legislature

By Sarah Bowman, Communications Director , FUELIowa

The passage of House File 2128 brought new challenges for FUELIowa. Focusing on the success of the law, the final piece of the puzzle to get the fuel to the consumer was missed – infrastructure.

FUELIowa knew this would be a challenge before the legislation passed last year. The summer and fall of 2022, FUELIowa lobbyist Marc Beltrame, along with his associate John Hirl, traveled the state discussing with legislators the infrastructure challenge facing FUELIowa members. Criss-crossing the state and traveling more than 1800 miles – from Davenport to Sheldon, and Osage to New Market, the need was addressed.

FUELIowa created a document showing the need for infrastructure to distribute E-15 to consumers (see flyer on page 11). This document was shared with members and legislators at the Legislative Lunch and Learns held in February across the

state. Whether it was Carroll or Riverside, Council Bluffs or Dubuque, the story of the members remained the same.

One member said she would like to retire, and either sell her business or pass it to her children. However, if she did not upgrade to E-15, she would be placing this burden onto her children – something no parent wants for their children. If her children chose not to take over the family business, without the upgrade, her sell price wouldn’t be what it is worth. However, she would not be able to retire if the upgrade was made. The investment would take her retirement funds. She felt stuck.

The meetings were well received by legislators, so much so that the following day, a legislator reached out to the FUELIowa office for a copy of the E15 document handed out to legislators. This was positive, showing the discussion continued among legislators AFTER FUELIowa members left the hill.

FUELIowa Director of Government Affairs John Maynes has worked tirelessly connecting members with their legislators to reiterate their need for the infrastructure funding.

It was devastating to hear the stories, to hear the voices crack, to see the tears, when members shared the thought of losing their family business - because of this law. They don’t want to do this, they must. They can file an exemption, but they fear losing business by filing the exemption.

Many of these stores are the only location for rural Iowans to grab a gallon of milk, personal essentials, and the only place to refill their tanks for miles.

Seeing the need to reinforce the discussion with legislators, FUELIowa scheduled a Leaders and Legislators Day of meetings on March 15th at the Capitol. It wasn’t just board members and staff, professional installers joined the meetings and shared the struggle of placing the tanks and dispensers, along with supply chain issues, with the legislators. Members from large and small convenience stores, as well as the lobbyist for Co-ops attended the meetings, stating their need and answering multiple questions from legislators.

By showing a united message at the Capitol, during our Legislative Lunch and Learns, and through messages to legislators, the need has been expressed. As of the date of publication, FUELIowa continues to work with legislators in the hope of having additional funds in the budget for E15 infrastructure in Iowa.

Members share concerns at Riverside, Iowa FUELIowa Lunch and Learn

75%

2,002 GAS STATIONS

Growing E15 Sales

Goal

To make Iowa’s E15 Access Standard a success while preserving Iowa’s rural fuel distribution network. FuelIowa’s policy goal is to ensure retailers can afford to upgrade infrastructure to provide the broadest availability of E15 and higher blends of fuel to customers in all 99 counties.

Request

Increase the cost share within the Iowa Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Grant Program (RFIP) to $160,000 per project or 75 percent of cost, whichever is less. In addition, funding for the RFIP grant program would increase from $10 million to $17.925 million.

1,158 INCOMPATIBLE SITES

57.8%

total retail gasoline stations in Iowa

gas stations with incompatible tanks, product piping, dispensers or a combination of the three $409,153 average RFIP E15 project cost 2016-2021

$568,857 average E15 project cost today according to Iowa Licensed Installers

57.8% of retail gas stations in Iowa will need infrastructure replacement

4 dispensers

2 underground tanks + $568,857

36.4%

$18,206 inflation related impact on RFIP grants since 2009 $50,000 Original Grant $18,000 Inflation $44,000 E85 Requirement + + $48,000 Incentive $160,000 + =

$44,000 average additional per project cost for E85 compatible equipment

Get to Know New FUELIowa Board Members

By Sarah Bowman, Communications Director , FUELIowa

Dave Reif has worked in his family’s business, Reif Oil Company in Burlington, Iowa for the past 17 years. He has worn many hats over the years and currently oversees their commercial, lube, propane, transportation, and wholesale fuel business. Reif Oil Company was incorporated in 1978 and started by his grandfather who drove a tank-wagon in the late 1930’s. Reif Oil owns eight convenience stores in eastern Iowa along with fuel customers in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri and Wisconsin. Reif graduated from the University of Iowa with a BBA in Finance.

He has been active on several policy committees of FUELIowa and believes our legislative advocacy efforts make the entire industry stronger. Reif’s dealer network

provides him valuable feedback to help represent small and large businesses. He believes FUELIowa helps all businesses stay on top of legislative and regulatory issues and enjoys helping FUELIowa advocate successfully. Reif shared, “We need strong leaders to oversee the association. I want to engage and challenge my fellow board members to oversee the association.

We asked each new member of the board, “What role do you hope to play, and what do you hope to accomplish in your time on the board? “I want to challenge my fellow board members and staff to be more proactive in our legislative agenda.  I also want us to take a more proactive approach to our lobbying efforts,” Reif responded.

service cooperative offering grain handling, feed, agronomy and Energy for over 100 years.

For the past 5 years, he has led the energy team as the Division Manager for Key Cooperative, but has held positions as an operations leader, Sales, Service and Propane/ Refined Fuels delivery during his 16 years in energy. Richardson brings a complete top-to-bottom experience level in the cooperative energy business, managing a delivery, sales, and service team in bulk propane, refined fuels and lubricants along with 10 unattended retail cardtrol locations in central Iowa.

Richardson spent 12 years as a firefighter/EMT in the fire service and currently assists as a youth leader in the local Boy Scout troop. "I look forward to continuing to work with Iowa's leaders and businesses to keep fuel and energy relevant and advancing in Iowa. FUELIowa gives us that platform and opportunity to do so."

This issue will spotlight Dave Reif and Scott Richardson

Scott Richardson has been with Key Cooperative's Energy team since 2006. Key Cooperative is a full

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A name your customers trust, a brand you can count on –visit cenex.com/businessopportunities to learn more.

Gov. Reynolds Signs Disaster Emergency Proclamation

By Sarah Bowman, Communications Director , FUELIowa

Governor Kim Reynolds issued a proclamation to ease restrictions on the transportation of materials related to disaster response and repairs.

The proclamation is effective April 1 and continues through May 1, 2023. The proclamation suspends the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code pertaining to movement of loads related to disaster repairs and for hours of service for crews and drivers delivering goods and services while responding to disaster sites.

Governor Reynolds Awards CDL Training Grants to Ease Iowans’ Path into Professional Driving Grants will provide critical training funds to help meet state demand for truck, bus drivers.

Governor Kim Reynolds today announced new grant awards that will directly support the critical training opportunities necessary to obtain a commercial driver's license (CDL) in Iowa. The Entry-Level Driver Training Program will help Iowa meet its strong demand for truck drivers and school bus drivers by providing $2.94 million to sup -

port 46 different training programs across the state.

The programs, conducted either in-house or in conjunction with third-party providers, will serve an estimated 1,642 individuals employed by the participating organizations. Employees will receive skills or knowledge tests in preparation for a CDL.

“This unique program addresses Iowa’s need for truck drivers in our workforce,” said Governor Reynolds. “Iowa is leading the nation by investing in the required training and removing barriers to these high-demand positions. The pathway to a CDL must be accessible to keep Iowa’s, and the nation’s, economy moving forward.”

Visit this page for information on all awardees, which include employers, nonprofits, local governments and school district organizations who employ CDL drivers in Iowa.

Last year, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration implemented additional training requirements on top of existing CDL standards. Despite the high demand, CDL training can be costly or require additional travel or resources. Grant funding acts as a reimbursement following documented training certification and a CDL exam within 30 days of a participant’s last day of training.

“Providing new grants specifically for training means that Iowa employers and organizations can more easily recruit the workforce they need to be successful,” said Beth Townsend, Director of Iowa Workforce Development. “Today’s awards are about getting the individual in the door and on a better pathway to a CDL. Once they are trained, their roles as truck drivers benefit our entire economy.”

GOLF

Enjoy 18 holes at Finkbine Golf Course, a premier golf facility in Iowa City, Iowa. This is a 4-person scramble with shotgun start complete with pin prizes and a putting contest. Beverage carts will keep you cool all day.

DINNER

Meet up in the club house after the 18th hole to tell everyone about your great shots. We will have cocktails, a short program, prime rib dinner and dessert and prizes. Don’t forget to purchase your 2023 Camp Courageous / FUELIowa commemorative car.

TRAVELING TROPHY

If you are up for some friendly competition and bragging rights, the traveling trophy is at stake. Who will win this year?!

JUNE 19, 2023

Finkbine Golf Course

Iowa City, Iowa

Camp Courageous of Iowa is a year-round respite care and recreational facility for individuals of all ages with disabilities. The camp was established in 1972 with the first 211 campers attending in the summer of 1974. Today, Camp Courageous serves over 7,000 individuals with disabilities in a year-round program. Learn more about the Camp online at campcourageous.org.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

APRIL 17-19,

2023

UPPER MIDWEST CONVENIENCE STORE & ENERGY CONVENTION St. Paul, MN

UMCS is simply the best trade show, networking and educational event for the Fuel and C-store industry in the Upper Midwest.

JUN 19, 2023

CAMP COURAGEOUS GOLF OUTING

Finkbine Golf Course, Iowa City, IA

Come and join FUELIowa members for a fun filled day of golf among your peers for a great cause - Camp Courageous of Iowa.

AUGUST 3-4, 2023

ANNUAL MEETING & SUMMERFEST

Okoboji, IA

Enjoy two days at beautiful Lake Okoboji! On Thursday, have a drink lake side at Bridges Bay Resort and enjoy a beautiful dinner reception complete with entertainment, silent auction and lots of fun, followed by golf on Friday.

Fleet managers, transport owners, and fuel transporters turn to Westmor when they’re frustrated with downtime and maintenance issues or when they are looking for better ways to maximize their fleet. Oftentimes, they’re having troubles with their trailer weights and payload capacity or they need a product to help with a diversified operation.

TRANSPORT IT YOUR WAY

» Match your trailer and equipment to your operational needs

» Design equipment to maximize your payload capacity

» Diversify your operation with the ability to transport or deliver fuel

westmor-ind.com

» TranstechTM Tank design provides an unforced, precise fit-up of components for a stronger, longer lasting tank

» Made in the USA

VISIONARY ($5,000+)

$ 14,000 Bev & Henry Jessen - Cylinder Express*

$ 5,000 Paul & Tessa Fahey - Rainbo Oil*

$ 5,000 Larry Bentler, Jet Gas*

$ 5,000 Ronald N. Langston - FUELIowa^

LEADER ($2,500-$4,999)

$2,500 Robert Mast - Mast ATM

$2,500 Randy & Andrew Woodard - Elliott Oil*

$2,500 Todd Kanne - Community Oil*

$2,500 Jason McDermott - McDermott Oil*

$2,500 Cliff & Dave Reif - Reif Oil*

PARTNER ($1,000-$2,449)

$1,500 Joe Zietlow - Kwik Trip^

$1,000 Mark Cobb - Cobb Oil

$1,000 Jennifer Likes - Harms Oil ^

$1,000 Thomas Flogel - Mulgrew Oil

$1,000 Marc Beltrame - Beltrame Law Firm

$1,000 Richard Weiner - Cartersville Elevator

FRIEND ($500-$999)

$500 Matt Scheetz

CONTRIBUTOR ($0-$499)

$200 Keith Crandall

$200 Eric Scheuchl

$150 John Maynes

$150 Gary Koerner

$150 Jim Ewing

$150 Sarah Bowman

$100 John Meehan

$100 Dean Onken

^ Sustaining Member * Fuel Marketer Program

Donate at:

www.fueliowa.com/donate-to-pac.cfm

FUELIOWA PAC CONTRIBUTION CARD

CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Name

Address City Zip

State

E-mail

CONTRIBUTION AMOUNT

Bill Me*

$

*Contributions not drawn on personal funds will automatically be contributed to the FUELIowa Political Education Fund (PEF).

BILLING ADDRESS

Billing Address

(If different from above address)

Signature Date

August 3-4, 2023

AUG 3-4, 2023

The goal of Summerfest is to bring all FUELIowa members and friends together in a fun and relaxing atmosphere. This event helps build relationships and by attending, you signal to everyone that you support our great industry. Through sponsorships, registrations, and donations, we are able to fund the FUELIowa PAC. There has never been a more enjoyable way to support the FUELIowa PAC.

DAY ONE DAY TWO

BAGS & COCKTAILS

What’s better than a game of bags? The obvious answer is, of course, two games of bags! We will kick-off our 2nd annual bags tournament with views of beautiful Lake Okoboji while enjoying cocktails, hors d’ oeuvres, and conversation. Let’s have some fun!

DINNER & RECEPTION

Mix and mingle on the shore at the beautiful Waterfront Event Center at Bridges Bay Resort. We will have open bar, entertainment, steak or scallops dinner, and dessert as we watch the sunset over the lake. After dinner, explore all that Okoboji has to offer. This is lake living at its best!

GOLF

Day two, it is time to hit the links! Enjoy 18 holes at Brooks Country Club - Okoboji’s premier golf facility. This is a 4-person scramble with shotgun start complete with pin prizes and a putting contest. Lunch is provided and beverage carts will keep you cool all day. Meet up after at the 19th hole to settle your bets and collect your prizes.

FAMILY FUN

Not a golfer? Take advantage of Bridges Bay Resort, Lake Okoboji or a day at Arnolds Amusement Park. Bridges Bay features a pool, waterpark, restaurants on the water and much more, perfect for a long weekend. Spouses and family can participate with you at events, or they can be free to explore everything on their own while you network!

SUMMERFEST | August 3-4, 2023 | Okoboji

Our annual action packed event in support of the FUELIOWA-PAC. Join us for a cocktail reception, dinner & silent auction with family and friends. Enjoy fun in the sun and a choice of golf or a day at Arnolds Park! Pay with personal funds to be included on the 2023 FUELIowa PAC Donor List.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: Check fueliowa.com for schedule and time updates.

Day 2

7:00 a.m. Golf Registration Opens – (coffee, juice, donuts)

8:00 a.m. Golf Shotgun Start - Brooks Country Club Golf

10:00 a.m. Arnolds Park (non-golfers) (includes rides, cruise on the Queen II & museums)

9:00 p.m. Okoboji Night Life

12:30 p.m. Lunch / Awards Ceremony

HOTEL: Bridges Bay Resort, call (712) 332-2202 & reference FUELIowa for a preferred rate.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Primary Contact: Company:

SUMMERFEST - $200 per attendee, dinner, open bar, bags tournament, & choice of golf or Arnolds Park.

or Park

DAY 1 SPONSORSHIPS

 Dinner Reception (2) $1500

 Open Bar (3) .................................................................$500

 Auction Prize (fund or donate item) ..................................$500

 Bags Tournament (2) ...................................................$500

 Donate to the FUELIowa-PAC (*Personal Funds).........$

*PERSONAL FUNDS: Please make PERSONAL checks payable to the FUELIowa-PAC or use PERSONAL credit cards. If monies received are not drawn on PERSONAL FUNDS the monies will be deposited in to the Political Education Fund (PEF).

PAYMENT INFORMATION

DAY 2 SPONSORSHIPS

 Breakfast ......................................................................$500

 Gift Bag Sponsor .........................................................$500

 Lunch / Awards Sponsor ...........................................$1000

 Cigar Sponsor ..............................................................$1000

 Putting Contest .........................................................$1,000

 Hole Sponsor ...............................................................$1,000 Includes Four (4) SUMMERFEST Passes

 Beverage Cart Sponsor (2) .......................................$1,000

 Golf Shirt Sponsor (2) .................................................$2000

Includes Company Logo on Sleeve

 Pin Prize Sponsor (4) .....................................................$250

*TOTAL DUE $  PERSONAL Check Enclosed  PERSONAL Credit Card

Billing address if different from Primary Contact information.

SUBMIT REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT

FUELIowa, 10430 New York Ave Ste F, Urbandale, Iowa 50322 | Questions? Call (515) 421-4596 or e-mail jim@fueliowa.com. Download a PDF registration form online at www.FUELIowa.com

MEMBER HAPPENINGS

FUELIOWA MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

WELCOME NEW FUELIOWA MEMBERS

Magellan Midstream Partners is a publicly traded partnership that primarily transports, stores and distributes refined petroleum products and crude oil based in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

FUELIowa Fashion is Available!

Men or Womens Jacket: Port Authority® Packable

Puffy Jacket

Color: Black

Sizes: XS-4XL

Men or Womens Vest: Port Authority® Packable

Puffy Vest

Color: Black

Sizes: XS-4XL

Email Jim Ewing at jim@fueliowa.com to order your FUELIowa fashion.

Bosselman Tank and Trailer Hires Dave Taylor as General Manager

Dave Taylor has joined Bosselman Tank and Trailer as general manager. Taylor will be responsible for overseeing the operations of three locations: Grand Island, North Platte and Denver, as well as executing BT&T’s long-term strategic planning. He brings over 18 years of leadership and industrial management to his new role, the business said in a press release.

Taylor’s background includes working with and leading diverse organizations, including the Grand Island area Economic Development Corporation, Healthcare Laundry Services and Marriott Management Services.

“We are pleased to have Taylor join us and expect to benefit from the depth of experience he brings to the role,” said Krisha Dolton, president of BT&T. “His leadership will be a valuable addition to our team, and we look forward to the continuing tradition of excellence at BT&T.”

Casey’s Acquires 5 Stores in Iowa

The five stores were locally owned and operated as DeliMart. They closed in March and will reopen as Casey’s.

• Casey’s has acquired five former DeliMarket stores in Iowa.

• The chain, known for its pizza, is in the midst of expanding, opening more than 200 stores during its last fiscal year.

• Part of Casey’s growth came from its digital sales with digital revenue in its third quarter of fiscal 2023 up 12% over last year and 25% on a two-year stacked basis.

Casey’s has acquired five convenience stores in Iowa in its latest expansion efforts.

The five acquired stores are in the Iowa City area and were called DeliMart, a locally owned c-store chain, according to a report from The Gazette. The local DeliMart chain was founded by brothers John and Frank Moreland in 1985, according to the report. Frank Moreland, the majority owner of the chain, died in 2021.

A spokesperson for Casey’s told the outlet that DeliMart employees would be offered a job at the store when they reopened as Casey’s. Casey’s, the Iowa-based c-store chain with locations across the South and Midwest, is in the midst of expanding. In April 2022,

the chain had 2,452 c-stores, but when it ended its third quarter on January 31, the convenience store had 2,472 locations, a net increase of 20 stores.  That increase, according to Casey’s third-quarter earnings report, included six store closures, 16 newly constructed stores, 12 acquisitions and six total acquired stores. During its 2022 fiscal year ending April 30, 2022, Casey’s said it grew its store footprint by more than 200 locations over the fiscal year.

“We closed three large strategic acquisitions that were a significant part of the 228 new units opened this year,” said Darren Rebelez, Casey’s president and CEO, on last year’s fourth-quarter earnings call.

Acquisitions included ones from Bucky’s, Pilot and Circle K, which Reblez said strengthened the store’s presence in Nebraska, Illinois, Oklahoma and Tennessee. He added that the acquisitions also meshed with its distribution network, including its Joplin, Missouri, distribution center opened in 2021.

In the third quarter of this year, revenue at the chain was up compared to the same quarter the year prior. Casey’s total revenue in the third quarter was about $3.3 million compared to about $3 million in the same quarter in 2022. Part of the growth came from its digital sales. Digital revenue was up 12% over last year and 25% on a two-year stacked basis, Rebelez told investors on the earnings call.

“Our guests are taking advantage of our ability to deliver grocery and general merchandise products as delivery is over-indexed versus other digital

grocery and general merchandise transaction types such as pick-up,” he said, adding that mobile app orders represent 69% of all of Casey’s digital orders.

C-stores like Casey’s, which is known for its pizza offerings, have worked to modernize and build loyalty to meet consumers in the face of changes in the industry.

“Retailers may take a different approach, but investing in prepared foods, full-service options and branding are all ways that c-stores have engaged consumers and built followings,” said Retail Leader Pro chief analyst Elizabeth Lafontaine. “Creating additional capacity for prepared foods and fresh items is key for chains in urban environments where third-party delivery continues to rise.”

INSIDE THE BELTWAY

ENERGY MARKETERS OF AMERICA

directing customers toward cheaper means of payment.

Visa and Mastercard agreed to a $5.3 billion settlement in 2012, but the Second Circuit rejected the deal, citing conflicts between businesses seeking to maximize their cash compensation and others focused on forward-looking changes.

U.S. COURT OF APPEALS UPHOLDS $5B-PLUS SWIPE FEE SETTLEMENT

A federal appeals court is letting stand a $5.6 billion antitrust class action settlement involving more than 12 million retailers that accused Visa Inc. and Mastercard Inc. of improperly fixing credit and debit card fees.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit of New York denied a bid to dismantle the class action settlement by gas station operators that objected to it. The agreement, which was priced at about $6.2 billion before opt-outs, includes $523 million in legal fees, reported Bloomberg Law.

The Brooklyn-based federal judge who approved the settlement acted "reasonably in a sprawling case with many interested parties, in which neither the district court nor class counsel can be expected to predict and preempt every issue that might arise," Judge Dennis Jacobs wrote for the appeals court on March 15.

The settlement resolved claims that Visa and Mastercard overcharged retailers on interchange fees, or swipe fees, when shoppers used credit or debit cards, and barred retailers from

The court gave preliminary approval to the multibillion-dollar settlement on Feb. 22, 2019. Under the settlement, Visa, Mastercard and the other bank defendants agreed to provide approximately $6.24 billion in class settlement funds. Those funds were subject to a deduction to account for certain merchants that exclude themselves, but in no event will the deduction be greater than $700 million, as Convenience Store News previously reported. The value of each claim is based on the actual or estimated interchange fees attributable to the merchant's Mastercard and Visa payment card transactions from Jan. 1, 2004 to Jan. 25, 2019.

The settlement had won approval from U.S. District Judge Margo Brodie in Brooklyn in December 2019, three-anda-half years after the appeals court voided a $7.25 billion accord approved by a different judge because it shortchanged some retailers, according to a report from Reuters. The $6.24 billion deal reduced to $5.6 billion. Visa is represented by Holwell Shuster & Goldberg LLP and Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP. Mastercard is represented by Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP, Robins Kaplan LLP and

Berger Montague PC are class counsel for the businesses.

The gas station retailers are represented variously by Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP, the Class Action Fairness Group and solo practitioners. The case is In re Payment Card Interchange Fee and Merchant Discount Antitrust Litigation, 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 20-339.

GRASSLEY INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN BILL TO IMPROVE VEHICLE EFFICIENCY AND LOWER FUEL COSTS

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) led bipartisan colleagues in reintroducing the Next Generation Fuels Act, legislation that would leverage higher-octane fuels to improve engine efficiency and performance. Allowing the sale of fuels with greater octane levels would increase the amount of ethanol that can be utilized in the fuel supply, in turn lowering prices at the pump for consumers. Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) are original cosponsors.

“Instead of continuing to buy more oil from foreign adversaries, we should be

FUELIowa not only keeps you informed in Iowa but on a federal level as well by partnering with our national organization, EMA. If it will impact you, we’ve got you covered.

increasing the use of ethanol made by biofuel producers right here in the United States. The Next Generation Fuels Act would help put America back on the path to energy independence while easing the pain at the pump. It’s good for consumers, good for farmers and biofuel producers, and good for the environment. This is the right approach to energy policy, and I’m proud to work with my colleagues to reintroduce this bill,” Grassley said.

“I’ve long pushed for investments in readily-available, domestically-produced biofuels, which are good for drivers and farmers alike,” Klobuchar said. “By allowing the use of higher biofuel blends in our fuel supply, our bipartisan legislation will benefit our economy, decrease prices at the pump, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.”

“Iowa families need solutions to stretch every dollar, and homegrown Iowa biofuels stand at the ready to relieve the pain at the pump. This commonsense legislation drives down costs for consumers, lowers carbon emissions, supports our farmers and producers, and moves us one step closer to energy independence,” Ernst said.

“It’s shameful that Big Oil is continuing to use Putin’s war of choice as an excuse to drive up prices and rake in huge profits off the backs of hardworking Americans,” Duckworth said. “It is past time we offer better options at the pump to help lower costs, decrease carbon emissions and reduce reliance on foreign oil while helping Illinois farmers grow the food and fuel we need, and I’m proud to help re-introduce this

bipartisan bill that would do just that.”

Background

Due to ethanol’s high-octane rating, greater ethanol blends result in both additional fuel efficiency and significant greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction. Ethanol is also priced lower than gasoline, making it the most cost-effective octane source. The Next Generation Fuels Act would establish a minimum research octane number (RON) standard of 98 for gasoline, which is higher than the typical octane of 91. It also requires the added octane value to reduce carbon emissions by at least 40 percent compared to regular gasoline.

By requiring the new high-octane fuel to utilize low-carbon sources, the Next Generation Fuels Act will decarbonize liquid fuels as vehicle technologies advance. This requirement, coupled with a new limit on harmful aromatics content, ensures that progress already made to expand the use of ethanol while lowering emissions will continue.

The Next Generation Fuels Act is endorsed by the National Corn Growers Association, Growth Energy, American Coalition for Ethanol, Renewable Fuels Association and National Farmers Union.

“We’re very grateful to Sen. Grassley, with Sens. Klobuchar, Ernst and Duckworth, for taking the lead on this priority legislation for corn growers,” said Tom Haag, President of the National Corn Growers Association. “The Next Generation Fuels Act addresses some of the country’s most pressing concerns by providing consumers with more options in the transition to cleaner fuels and

vehicles and supporting our long-term energy security.”

“American-made ethanol already makes a positive impact every day, but we've still only scratched the surface of the benefits this renewable fuel can deliver to the environment and to drivers across the country,” said Emily Skor, Chief Executive Officer of Growth Energy. “The Next Generation Fuels Act recognizes that ethanol is the only fuel available today that can be immediately deployed to decrease our nation's carbon emissions, decrease our reliance on foreign oil, and decrease fuel costs for American families all at once. This legislation would give ethanol a greater role in decarbonizing our economy while decreasing volatility and lowering prices at the pump, and we urge all lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to join Senators Grassley and Klobuchar to see the bill quickly signed into law.”

“The Next Generation Fuels Act overcomes a host of regulatory barriers currently standing in the way of expanding the use of ethanol, and we thank these bipartisan Senate leaders for recognizing the value ethanol holds as an immediate solution to decarbonize the transportation sector,” said Brian Jennings, Chief Executive Officer of the American Coalition for Ethanol. “We look forward to working with members of Congress on how this bill can build upon other clean fuel legislation to spur biofuel demand.”

“We thank Sens. Grassley and Klobuchar along with Sens. Ernst and Duckworth for reintroducing the Next Generation Fuels Act in the Sen-

ate,” said Geoff Cooper, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association. “Americans will continue to rely on liquid fuels and internal combustion engines for decades to come, and this legislation will ensure drivers have access to more efficient high-octane, lower-carbon and lower-cost fuels for their vehicles. We look forward to working with clean fuel supporters in both chambers of Congress to turn this bold vision into a reality.”

“NFU is proud of our continued support of the Next Generation Fuels Act,” said Rob Larew, President of the National Farmers Union. “The higher-octane options that this bill supports will help consumers and farmers alike, all while reducing emissions. This is a common sense bill that we’re eager to support.”

over five years to build electric vehicle charging stations and refueling infrastructure for hydrogen, propane or natural-gas vehicles.

Administration officials told reporters in a press call Monday the program would help President Joe Biden meet his goal of 500,000 public charging stations by the end of the decade. Officials briefed reporters on the condition they would not be named.

Biden has also set a goal of reducing national greenhouse gas emissions by at least half by 2030. Gas-powered vehicles account for about one-quarter of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. The grant funding will be evenly split between designated alternative-fuel corridors and public facilities like parking lots, schools and parks.

“With today’s announcement, we are taking another big step forward in creating an EV future that is convenient, affordable, reliable, and accessible to all Americans,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a written statement.

STATES TO RECEIVE $2.5B FROM FEDS FOR ELECTRIC

VEHICLE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE

Source: Iowa Capital Dispatch

The federal government will send $2.5 billion over the next five years to states, local governments and tribes to build electric vehicle charging infrastructure, Biden administration officials said Tuesday.

The new Charging and Fueling Infrastructure grant program, which was authorized by the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law, will spend $2.5 billion

Applications for the first two years of funding, which will include $700 million in grants, opened Tuesday and are due by May 30.

The grant program adds to other recent federal spending on electric vehicle charging stations.

Each state will also receive a share of a separate $1.5 billion fund the federal government made available for charging stations last year. Each state developed a plan for building an electric vehicle charging network. The Federal Highway Administration, the Transportation Department agency that administers federal highway funding to states, approved each state plan last year.

States will not have to apply for grants to receive funding under that program, instead receiving funding based on a predetermined formula that factors in things like population and miles of road.

Last month, the administration finalized standards for charging stations, including a requirement that components will eventually have to be sourced in the United States. Most material needed for electric vehicle charging stations is not yet available domestically.

ALTRIA & NJOY REACH $2.75B DEAL ALTRIA ALSO EXCHANGED ITS JUUL LABS STAKE FOR HEATED TOBACCO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

Source: Convenience Store News

Altria Group Inc. is making moves around its investment in alternative tobacco products.

The manufacturer entered into a definitive agreement to acquire NJOY Holdings Inc. for approximately $2.75 billion in cash, the company announced on March 6.

"We believe we can responsibly accelerate U.S. adult smoker and competitive adult vaper adoption of NJOY ACE in ways that NJOY could not as a standalone company," said Billy Gifford, Altria's CEO. "We believe the

strengths of our commercial resources can benefit adult tobacco consumers and expand competition. We are also excited to welcome NJOY's talented employees to Altria at closing." The transaction terms include additional $500 million in cash payments that are contingent upon regulatory outcomes with respect to certain NJOY products.

"As a result of this transaction, Altria's enhanced smoke-free portfolio will include full global ownership of products and technologies across the three largest smoke-free categories and a joint venture with JT Group for the U.S. commercialization of heated tobacco stick products," Gifford added.

According to Altria, the e-vapor category is the largest smoke-free category in the United States. In 2022, the e-vapor category:

• Included nearly 14 million U.S. adult tobacco consumers, including 9.5 million exclusive adult vapers;

• Generated approximately $7 billion in U.S. retail sales; and

• Represented approximately 15 percent of total estimated equivalized U.S. tobacco volumes and more than 50 percent of total estimated equivalized smoke-free tobacco volumes.

"We are excited to add NJOY's e-vapor intellectual property as a new platform that we believe we can build on to help more adult smokers transition to smoke-free alternatives," said Olivier Houpert, Altria's new chief innovation and product officer.

Making the Case for NJOY

Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued marketing granted orders (MGOs) for 23 e-vapor products and devices. In 2022,

NJOY received MGOs for six products, including:

• NJOY ACE e-vapor device;

• NJOY ACE POD, rich tobacco flavor, 5 percent nicotine concentration;

• NJOY ACE POD, classic tobacco flavor, 5 percent nicotine concentration;

• NJOY ACE POD, classic tobacco flavor, 2.4 percent nicotine concentration;

• NJOY DAILY EXTRA, rich tobacco flavor, 6 percent nicotine concentration; and

• NJOY DAILY, rich tobacco flavor, 4.5 percent nicotine concentration.

As Altria pointed out, NJOY also currently sells menthol-flavored e-vapor products. NJOY submitted premarket tobacco product applications (PMTAs) for these products prior to the FDA deadline of Sept. 9, 2020, and those PMTAs remain under FDA review.

NJOY ACE, NJOY's leading brand, is a pod-based e-vapor product that is only available in approximately 33,000 U.S. retail stores and the brand represented approximately 85 percent of NJOY's 2022 total retail shipments, according to Altria.

Due to NJOY's small sales force and the limited distribution and visibility of ACE, awareness of the brand among the adult tobacco consumer is low. As a result, the 2022 retail share of ACE pods in U.S. multioutlet and convenience stores was approximately 3 percent, the company added.

According to Altria, its research indicates that once adult smokers and adult vapers try ACE, it performs on par with the leading e-vapor brand. Additionally:

• Approximately 40 percent of ACE pod sales were tobacco-flavored in 2022, a higher percentage than the leading two e-vapor brands and the overall e-vapor category.

• NJOY also sells its NJOY DAILY disposable e-vapor products in approximately 23,000 U.S. retail stores.

• NJOY-branded products were not included among the most often used usual brand among middle and high school e-cigarette users in the 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey.

• NJOY also has access-restriction technology in development for its devices. This technology uses Bluetooth connectivity to authenticate the user before unlocking the device.

• NJOY has a strong commercial relationship with Shenzhen Smoore Technology Limited for the development and manufacturing of its e-vapor products.

Transaction Details

Under the terms of the transaction, Altria will pay NJOY approximately $2.75 billion in cash upon closing. Transaction terms also include additional contingent cash payments up to $500 million as follows:

• NJOY will receive $250 million if the FDA issues an MGO for the NJOY ACE POD, menthol flavor, 5.0 percent nicotine concentration product either alone or in combination with the NJOY ACE POD, menthol flavor, 2.4 percent nicotine concentration product.

• If the FDA issues an MGO for the NJOY ACE POD, menthol flavor, 2.4 percent nicotine concentration product but not the NJOY ACE POD, menthol flavor, 5 percent nicotine concentration product, NJOY will receive a payment of $125 million.

• NJOY is currently preparing PMTA filings for two non-tobacco or menthol flavored ACE pods that would be paired with NJOY's access-restriction technology. If the FDA issues an MGO for either of these applications, NJOY will receive a payment of $125 million (a total contingent payment of $250 million if the FDA authorizes both PMTAs).

Perella Weinberg Partners LP and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC are acting as financial advisors to Altria in connection with the transaction. Morgan Stanley Senior Funding Inc. has committed to provide short-term financing to Altria. White & Case LLP and Arnold & Porter LLP are providing legal counsel to Altria.

Moelis & Co. LLC is acting as the financial advisor to NJOY in connection with the transaction. Weil, Gotshal &

Manges LLP is providing legal counsel to NJOY.

Altria's Stake in Juul Labs

The tobacco company exchanged its entire minority economic investment in Juul Labs Inc. for a non-exclusive, irrevocable global license to certain Juul heated tobacco intellectual property. "We believe exchanging our Juul ownership for intellectual property rights is the appropriate path forward for our business," said Billy Gifford, Altria's CEO. "Juul faces significant regulatory and legal challenges and uncertainties, many of which could exist for many years. We are continuing to explore all options for how we can best compete in the e-vapor category."

In December 2018, Altria made a $12.8-billion investment in Juul which represented a 35 percent economic interest — a stake Altria still holds

today. The move included a noncompete agreement; however, in September 2022 Altria disclosed its plans to end that agreement in a filing with the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission, as Convenience Store News previously reported.

Richmond-based Altria's wholly owned subsidiaries include Philip Morris USA Inc. and John Middleton Co. Its smokefree portfolio includes ownership of U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. LLC and Helix Innovations LLC.

Additionally, Altria has a majority-owned joint venture, Horizon Innovations LLC, and, through a separate agreement, has the exclusive U.S. commercialization rights to the IQOS Tobacco Heating System and Marlboro HeatSticks through April 2024.

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RISK MANAGEMENT

By Risk Improvement Department, EMC Insurance Companies, Des Moines, Iowa

Most people understand that firefighters, police officers and other first responders face danger as a part of their daily jobs, but few would expect drivers going about their normal business to be one of the biggest sources of that danger. Thousands of roadway responses occur every day in the United States, and at each of these scenes first responders are at risk of being hit by passing motorists. While working near moving vehicles is always dangerous, adequate training and advance planning can reduce struck-by incidents and make roadside work safer for everyone involved.

Roadside Safety Training Topics for First Responders

Roadway incident safety training is especially important for new recruits and volunteers but should also be reinforced regularly for all first responders. What your training covers will be unique to your agency’s function, but a recent webinar (https://info.lexipol.com/ webinar-law-enforcement-road -

way-safety) on highway safety for first responders, presented by EMC partner Lexipol in conjunction with the Emergency Responder Safety Institute, highlights key steps. Below are some roadside safety topics that are generally included in first responders training.

Hazard awareness—

First responders often underestimate the danger of working near traffic. Inform your team about how often first responders are struck by vehicles and include information about “D drivers” (drunk, drugged, drowsy, disgruntled, distracted) to ensure your staff understands the threat.

Practices and procedures—

To make sure everyone is on the same page, document your Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) for responding to roadside incidents.

Scene size-up and reports—

In the event of a roadside incident, the first arriving unit on the scene should report traffic-related details, such as which lanes of the roadway are affected and which they will block off.

Communications and terminology—

If you have multi-lane highways in your jurisdiction, explaining the location of an incident can be difficult. Create a standard lane numbering system to clear up any potential confusion.

Emergency vehicle positioning—

How will you protect your scene, including the first responders, victims involved in the incident and property inside of the vehicles? Discuss ways to shield the scene without creating additional issues for other motorists.

Personal protective equipment—

OSHA requires all emergency response personnel to wear high-visibility vests when working on roadway incidents, unless they are actively exposed to flames or heat (i.e. fighting a fire) or hazardous materials are present.

Temporary traffic control and devices—

Explain how traffic control devices such as cones, signs and flares should be deployed to give motorists advance warning of your operations. Be sure to cover

acceptable processes for putting them out and removing them safely.

ing the following exercises:

• Critique recent incidents to evaluate response and discuss improvements

• Look for conflicts between agency SOPs/SOGs that might decrease safety during an incident

• Review common terminology

• Discuss incident command systems and/or unified command

• Determine apparatus and vehicle placement

• Discuss temporary traffic controls

• Review personal protective equipment

• Plan multi-discipline training opportunities

• Establish and reinforce relationships

Who Should Be Involved in Roadside Safety Planning?

One important step in making roadside operations safer is to involve all local agencies in the planning. Coordinate meetings at least once a quarter and invite representatives from agencies you expect to be involved with roadway incidents, including:

• 911 dispatchers

• DOT and public works

• EMS

• Fire and rescue

• Law enforcement

• Medical examiner

• Safety service patrols  (“highway helpers”)

• Towing and recovery

Planning ahead can eliminate the command and control confusion that leaves first responders vulnerable to traffic. Use multi-agency planning meetings to create an organized approach to roadway responses and consider incorporat -

Emergency Traffic Control and Scene Management Guidelines

Traffic control is an essential part of incident responses. Having a planned and coordinated process to respond to and clear traffic incidents and restore traffic flow will help keep first responders and other drivers safe.

Blocking and Signage—

Position first arriving vehicles in a way that protects the scene—a concept known as “blocking”.

The specifics of your blocking will vary, depending on what vehicles are responding and the nature of the call. The placement of a patrol car on a traffic stop will be different than an EMS unit responding to a medical assist call. Because of their size and visibility, fire trucks often serve as a block during highway incidents. Parking blocking vehicles at an angle is essential to help alert motorists that the vehicle is stopped and not moving.

It’s also important to block the lane of travel upstream of the incident to guide moving traffic away from the scene. You’ll need to provide adequate advance warning to motorists that the traffic pattern is changing ahead. These advance warning techniques are useful not only on highways, but on any roadway where you might not be easily seen by drivers.

Clear the Scene Quickly—

In an ideal scenario you will move everyone and everything away from the roadway as quickly as possible to minimize traffic disruption and the chance of a secondary incident. Consider the following strategies to achieve a safe, quick clearance.

• Implement Move It or Work It, a systematic decision-making model for deciding if an incident can be moved out of travel lanes to a safer area

• Encourage faster removal of stranded vehicles through TRIP (towing and recovery incentive programs)

• Perform tasks simultaneously whenever possible to shorten time on-scene

• Use the unified command and incident action plans that were drawn up with partner agencies

• Release any units that aren’t needed for work or scene safety

2023 FUELIOWA S P ONS O R S