Advancing Alternative Fuels: Three Retail Motor Fuel Trade Associations Outline Suggested Principles to Biden Administration

Three trade associations representing the United States retail motor fuel community sent a January 27th letter to Biden Administration officials outlining what they believe are “key principles” for the advancement of alternative fuels in the marketplace.

The January 27th letter was co-authored by the following organizations:

• National Association of Convenience Stores
• National Association of Truck Stop Operators
• Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America (collectively “NATSO”)

The letter was addressed to:

• The Honorable Peter Buttigieg, Secretary-Designate, U.S. Department of Transportation
• The Honorable Jennifer Granholm, Secretary-Designate, U.S. Department of Energy
• Michael Regan, Administrator-Designate, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• The Honorable Gina McCarthy, National Climate Advisor, Executive Office of the President

By way of introduction, NATSO states their belief that the:

. . . most expeditious and economical way to achieve environmental advancements in transportation energy technology is through market-oriented, consumer-focused policies that encourage our membership to offer more alternatives.

NATSO further argues:

• Fuel retailers are prepared to invest in transportation energy technologies desired by their customers.
• The private sector is best equipped to facilitate a faster, more widespread, cost effective transition to alternatives (with the right alignment of policy incentives).

The letter outlines principles that NATSO argues would:

• Create new jobs
• Accelerate the deployment of advanced alternative fuel, infrastructure and vehicles
• Benefit customers through a competitive/robust marketplace
• Drive massive economic investment
• Improve air quality

The six principles outlined in the letter include:

• Science should be the foundation for transportation climate policies.
• Establish performance goals without mandating specific technologies to allow for the benefits of innovation and technology development.
• Develop competitive market incentives to ensure a level playing field and provide long-term consumer benefits.
• Harness existing infrastructure to help commercialize new technology, maximize diverse investments, and achieve near-term and long-term emission reduction goals.
• Set consistent, uniform national policy so that (i) the market has certainty to help it invest, and (ii) state policies do not create inconsistent or counterproductive measures.
• Ensure fair treatment so that all households are not forced to subsidize alternative energy users.

A copy of the January 27th letter can be downloaded here.