ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 6, 2021 / PRNewswire / – NATSO, representing truck stops and transportation areas, SIGMA: America’s Leading Fuel Marketers, and the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) applauded Congress for passing the Historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), HR 3684, which provides a long-term plan for national highway and infrastructure programs while laying the foundation for the future of transportation energy.

“We are extremely grateful to the Biden administration and to members of Congress from all ideological backgrounds who have worked with us on policies to support and encourage investment in alternative transportation energy,” said Lisa Mullings, President and CEO of NATSO. “HR 3684 represents sound public policy, and we applaud lawmakers for securing adequate funding for America’s highways rather than allowing partisanship to compromise the long-term health of the nation’s infrastructure. Congress provided critical funding for U.S. freeways toll-free on interstate freeways or commercialize rest areas, which would have discouraged the private sector from investing in electric vehicle charging and other emerging technologies.

“The policies established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will go a long way in encouraging private sector investment in alternative transportation energies,” said Richard Guttman, President of SIGMA. “We appreciate the hard work it took to get a bipartisan agreement on this bill and we are pleased that the policy choices made on transportation energy infrastructure point to a future in which the private sector will be encouraged to act. as a federal fund multiplier to dramatically increase the alternative energy options available to consumers across the country.

“Public policy must ensure that the private sector can invest in climate solutions in order to move forward,” said NACS President and CEO Henry O. Armor. “The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act does this and will help our industry reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation and provide consumers with alternative cleaner fuel choices. We appreciate the work of the administration and Congress to achieve this. “

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act recognizes the critical role the retail fuel industry must play in reducing the carbon intensity of transportation energy in the United States. NATSO, SIGMA and NACS support efforts to ensure consumers have affordable and reliable alternative fuel choices so that as the energy mix changes, Americans enjoy all the advantages they have with the fuel market today. hui.

The subsidy programs established by HR 3684 will encourage investment in a range of alternative fuels, including electricity, hydrogen, biofuels and natural gas, enabling the benefits of innovation and technological development, thereby enabling the benefits of innovation and technological development. will offer options to consumers, while competing for their business on price, speed and quality of service.

The market benefits American drivers when it is based on competitive market principles, just as traditional refueling has been in the United States. The IIJA rightly takes a technologically neutral approach to alternative fuels so that there is competition between these technologies on price and reliability while prioritizing private investment so that customers pay competitive prices rather than socialize. costs among all consumers.

NATSO, NACS and SIGMA appreciate that the IIJA has not incorporated provisions that would allow states to unfairly compete with the private sector by installing electric vehicle charging stations in rest areas and that locations for alternative refueling must consider the availability of amenities such as food and toilets.

The IIJA also demands that state utility commissions use their positions to find ways to attract private investment in electric vehicle charging stations. The subsidy programs created within the IIJA also do not carry significant risks of allowing utilities to ‘double up’ and forcing electricity customers to pay to own and operate charging stations. electric vehicles while receiving federal funds for their installation.

About NATSO, NACS and SIGMA

NATSO is the trade association for the US travel seating and truck stop industry. Founded in 1960, NATSO represents the industry on legislative and regulatory matters; serves as the official source of information on the diverse travel seating and truck stop industry; provides education to its members; organizes an annual convention and trade fair; and supports efforts to generally improve the business climate in which its members operate. Contact Person: Tiffany Wlazlowski Neuman, Vice-President, Public Affairs. 703-739-8578

NACS advances the role of convenience stores as positive economic, social and philanthropic contributors to the communities they serve. The U.S. convenience store industry, with more than 153,000 stores nationwide selling fuel, food, and merchandise, serves 165 million customers per day, or half of the U.S. population, and has sales that represent 10.8% of total US retail and foodservice sales. NACS has 1,900 retailers and 1,800 supplier members in over 50 countries.

SIGMA is the national trade association representing the most successful, progressive and innovative fuel distributors and retail chains in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1958 as the Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America (SIGMA), SIGMA has become a fixture in the fuel marketing industry. Representing a diverse workforce of approximately 250 independent fuel chains and distributors, the association serves to promote the interests of the branded and unbranded segment of the industry while providing information and services to members. For more information, visit SIGMA.org.

CONTACT: Tiffany Wlazlowski703-739-8578

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SOURCE NATSO, Inc.