NAFA Provides Real-Life Fleet Experience To Rulemakers

NAFA Provides Real-Life Fleet Experience To Rulemakers

Get Engaged and Make A Difference!

Last week, NAFA President Claude Masters, CAFM^®, and NAFA Legislative Counsel Patrick O’Connor, traversed Washington, DC to participate in numerous conferences, meetings, gatherings, and other events to speak on behalf of all fleet managers about issues impacting, or potentially impacting, this industry.

For sure, there is no shortage of proposed rules, regulations, and legislation that could impact fleets. In fact, at last count, NAFA’s Government Affairs Committee was tracking 17 issues of importance to fleets. That explains why Claude and Pat were very busy last week, being sure to speak with as many of the most influential stakeholders as possible.

Claude and Pat, along with Steve Saltzgiver, who chairs the Government Affairs Committee, have taken on the critical role of making sure rulemakers know about and consider real-life fleet perspectives in each of their proposals. This is a role that only NAFA can play, as the strongest, single-most unified voice of fleet managers. But Claude, Pat, and Steve cannot do this work alone or in a vacuum; they need to hear from you so they can fairly and accurately represent you.

I encourage you to take a look at the brief summary of issues at the end of this column to get a flavor of the major subjects being dealt with right now. Then, if you have questions or comments or opinions on anything, please send an email to me or Pat O’Connor. Getting engaged like this will only strengthen NAFA’s voice and help ensure that NAFA really does make a difference.

Sincerely,

Phil

P.S. For a live legislative update, be sure to attend NAFA’s 2015 I&E where Pat O’Connor will host a Keynote Address featuring rulemakers from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency. Details here: http://www.nafainstitute.org/detailed-program/

Summary of NAFA Government Affairs Activity

Here’s a brief run-down of some of the bigger issues NAFA is tackling right now. Every month NAFA provides you an update on these issues in our e-newsletter, Legislative Update, which is also archived on in the Publications section of the NAFA website (http://www.nafa.org/publications/legislative-updates/).

Vehicle Miles Traveled Tax
Mileage Based User Fee Alliance (MBUFA) is a national non-profit organization that conducts education and outreach on the potential for a vehicle miles traveled (VMT) tax as an alternative for future funding of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF). At a recent conference, the consensus was:

A VMT tax is not a realistic funding option for the HTF at this time
Congress may, however, include an authorization for pilot programs.
State pilot programs will be the precursor to any federal program.
States and regions are actively considering pilot programs. To date, eleven states have enabling legislation authorizing pilot programs. Other states, including Illinois, are considering legislation. A regional pilot program is in the early stages of planning for the I-95 Corridor (East Coast interstate).

Highway Trust Fund

Current funding for the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) expires on May 31 of this year.
NAFA sent a letter on February 9 to every member of Congress urging an increase in the gasoline and fuel excise tax as the most cost efficient and straightforward way to provide a steady revenue stream to the Fund.

Phase 2 Fuel Economy and GHG Standards

Publication of a proposed rule by NHTSA and EPA for the Phase 2 fuel economy and GHG standards has likely been delayed until June.

Truck Right-To-Repair

The Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network (CVSN) is seeking a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association. NAFA has advised the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association that NAFA should be a party to any discussion of a right-to-repair MOU.

ZEVs: Multi-state ZEV Action Plan

In 2013, the governors of eight states signed an MOU to coordinate action to ensure successful implementation of the states’ zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) programs. The ZEV programs include an OEM sales mandate.
The states are California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Collectively, these states have committed to having at least 3.3 million ZEVs operating by 2025.
The signatory governors created a multi-state ZEV Implementation Plan Task force. NAFA participates on the ZEV Fleet Implementation Team. Betsy Kupkowski (Schneider Electric), Keith Leech (Sacramento County), and Pat O’Connor are on the Team, which held its first call on January 7.

Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) Funding

DERA provides funding to incentivize equipment and vehicle owners to install retrofit technologies on existing heavy-duty diesel vehicles and engines, or replace engines and equipment.
This year Congress will begin the legislative process for reauthorizing the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, which expires in 2016. NAFA is working proactively with a coalition of stakeholders to ensure it is reauthorized.

Survey – Safety Records of Managed v. Non-Managed Fleets

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has informed NAFA that the agency lacks data on the safety performance of managed fleets with single-unit trucks.
NAFA has explored options for collecting this data and a survey document has been finalized and will be sent to NAFA’s truck fleet members. The goal is to collect information on a minimum sample of 30,000 vehicles.

Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS)

Ethanol: Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) introduced a bill on February 4 to cap the amount of ethanol in the gasoline supply and eliminate corn ethanol mandates. H.R. 704, the RFS Reform Act, would cap the amount of ethanol allowed in gasoline at 10 percent and eliminate the renewable fuel standard's corn ethanol blending mandate. The bill does not address biodiesel.
Biodiesel: On February 9, in a letter to EPA, thirty-two Senators urged EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to finalize volumes for biodiesel in a "timely manner." Sens. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and Patty Murray (D-WA) led the letter to the EPA Administrator. NAFA has sent a letter of appreciation to the Senators.

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