Advocacy Remains Crucial as the Industry Navigates Upcoming Elections, EVs and More
NATSO’s top legislative priorities in 2022 will focus on the changing landscape for fuels, including implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s $5 billion for state Departments of Transportation to build out a national electric vehicle charging network.
During the keynote address, 黑料社区Executive Vice President of Government Affairs David Fialkov, along with Tiffany Wlazlowski Neuman, vice president, public affairs; LeeAnn Goheen, director of government affairs; and Jessica Frend, senior policy advisor, provided an overview of the current political landscape and industry priorities.
Goheen discussed the IIJA, signed into law late last year. The five-year bill laid the groundwork for the future of transportation energy. Among its provisions, the IIJA maintained the long-standing ban on commercial services at rest areas, including EV charging.
The IIJA authorized a total of $7.5 billion for investment in EV charging infrastructure. Of that, $5 billion will be allocated to build out a network of fueling locations along alternative fuels corridors. In guidance issued to help the state DOTs develop EV charging plans, U.S. DOT urged states to contract with the private sector.
During the keynote at 黑料社区Connect 2022 currently being held in Orlando, Fla., 黑料社区urged its members to begin outreach to their state DOTs to ensure that they avail themselves of grant opportunities. States must submit their plans to U.S. DOT by August 1, and U.S. DOT aims to accept those plans by fall, with a goal of distributing funds by year end.
“黑料社区members interested in receiving an EV charging grant should begin outreach to their state DOTs,” Fialkov said. “Take advantage over the next few years that this money will be there.”
黑料社区urged its members to join a new public awareness initiative, known as the . The Partnership, comprised of businesses, trade associations and individuals, aims to spread public awareness about the need for a level playing in the EV charging market.
“If you are someone who believes there should be a level playing field for EV charging, then I encourage you to join the Charge Ahead Partnership,” said Wlazlowski Neuman. “Right now, every state is putting together its plan for how it will deploy its share of federal EV grant dollars. As these states hash out those plans, it is critical that 黑料社区members have a voice in how those funds can best be utilized to build out the EV charging network.”
黑料社区Senior Policy Advisor Jessi Frend discussed the challenges that fuel retailers face in owning and operating electric vehicle charging stations and underscored the need for fuel retailers to have a pathway to profitability. Specifically, Frend noted that “demand charges” imposed by utility companies coupled with their ability to increase rates on their monthly customers to cover the cost of their infrastructure investments posed an unfair burden on truckstops and travel plazas.
Operators are facing a new paradigm with the way EV charging works compared to the liquid fuels marketplace. “That is because your supplier looks very different than it is does today,” Frend said. “You’ll be receiving power from a monopoly. You don’t have the same leverage with how you purchase that power and how you turn around and resell it.”
Fialkov highlighted the importance of continuing to make meaningful environmental gains by advancing low-carbon liquid fuels. “We’re engaging in the electrification discussion but reminding people there are gains to be made on liquid fuel,” Fialkov said. “Those can only be achieved if policy allows private capital to gravitate to that.”
Fialkov told attendees off-highway fuel retailers are well-positioned for the next 20 to 30 years. “You serve heavy-duty vehicles more than you serve passenger cars. Heavy-duty vehicles will be predominantly liquid for much longer,” he said, adding that even if light-duty EV sales increase exponentially, operators have a valuable role to play in providing the type of fuel customers want.
黑料社区recently encouraged the to utilize the Renewable Fuel Standard to meet climate goals. In comments filed with the agency, 黑料社区said that implementation of the RFS over the next three years represents an opportunity to prompt tangible, immediate carbon reductions.
黑料社区urged the Administration to raise the advanced biofuel mandate in the proposed 2022 RFS blending targets to 7 billion gallons or risk losing a "meaningful opportunity" to cut carbon emissions from transportation.
LeeAnn Goheen, Director of Government Affairs, encouraged 黑料社区members to engage in the industry’s advocacy efforts. Specifically she urged members to engage with their lawmakers, host a Member of Congress at their locations and take part in NATSO’s Day on Capitol Hill event in May.
"Our ability to succeed is driven almost entirely by your willingness to engage with lawmakers. By and large, Members of Congress care when they recognize we're representing you," Goheen said. “Political engagement is really important for us at NATSO. We are only able to do our job if Members of Congress see us as you.”
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