The home heating oil industry has a long and proud history, and Fuel Oil News has been there supporting it since 1935. It is an industry that has faced many challenges during that time. In its 77th year, Fuel Oil News is doing more than just holding
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/28027
APRIL VOL.76 NO.04 EDITOR’S NOTE EDITORIAL STAFF Put Up or Shut Up Keith Reid al months now, the industry-favorable provisions in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act are under heavy attack by the financial industry. This includes reforms designed to reduce excessive speculation in the energy markets and put limits on debit interchange fees. I’m going to be frank, and blunt. If you think the victory was won when President Obama signed the act into law on July 21, 2010, you are sadly mistaken.The legisla- tion will cost major investment banks billions in profits and they have hit Washington with the force of a lobbying tsunami. If you think you can count on oth- ers to haul the freight you are sadly mistaken.The industry trade associations— Petroleum Marketers Association of America, National Association of Convenience Stores and New England Fuel Institute—have excellent lobbyists and a core of industry members who step up when called upon.But, they are outgunned and they desperately need your help. You can make a difference.Sending an e- A mail, making a call or writing a letter are useful,but they represent the bare minimum. You need to make direct contact with your federal legislators.You need to let them know the impact these issues have on your busi- ness and the fact that you actually care about the outcome of this law.Be assured that they know the major investment banks care. If you could make a quick trip to Washington, that would be great.Meeting your legislators while they are home is eas- 8 S NOTED IN THE LEAD NEWS ARTICLE and as we have covered in the pages of this magazine for sever- ier and almost as effective. If you are a neo- phyte with such efforts, your associations will be glad to help get you up to speed on how to do that effectively. Be a leader and give them a call.Everyone is busy and more than a little effort is required, but the ben- efits are enormous. And it’s not just the associations asking for your help.NACS recently hosted a trade media event in Washington where they set up meetings with four Congressmen, two Republicans and two Democrats,who have supported the industry on the swipe fee issue. Every congressman,without prompting, advised us to encourage our readers to make these contacts. These meetings—relation- ships actually—really do have a significant impact on the process and can offset the big money and big staffing our opponents bring to the table. So it’s up to you.Put up or shut up. If you like heating oil,diesel and gasoline prices that are notably higher than they likely would be under similar rules in place a mere decade ago, then sit at home. If you can survive product prices above $4 (likely a regular future reality even after the Middle East settles down),then sit at home.If you like giving the monopolis- tic credit associations more money on a gallon of product than you make in profit, then sit at home. Just don’t complain about losing these victories when that comes to pass. CORRECTION In last month’s Computer Buyer’s Guide the contact for Liquid Controls was listed as Tom Tschanz. The correct contact should be Royal Wollberg. APRIL 2011 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www.fueloilnews.com Editorial Office 1030 W.Higgins Road Suite 230 Park Ridge, IL 60068 847/720-5600 Editor Keith Reid 847/720-5615 kreid@m2media360.com Managing Editor Debra Reschke 847/720-5618 dreschke@m2media360.com Columnists Charles Bursey, Sr. John Griffin George Lanthier EXECUTIVE STAFF President/CEO and Group Publisher Marion Minor List Rentals/ Reprints – Cheryl Naughton 678/292-6054 Fax: 360/294-6054 cnaughton@m2media360.com PRODUCTION Production Manager – Mary Jo Tomei Art Director – Andrew Stamm ADVERTISING SALES East – Dave Campbell,Associate Publisher 413/528-2364 Fax: 413/528-8835 ddc12@verizon.net Central & South – Rich Alden 603/899-3010 Fax: 603/899-2343 ralden@m2media360.com West – Ken Jordan 972/540-2122 Fax: 972/540-2127 kenjordan3@yahoo.com MAIN OFFICE 1030 W.Higgins Road Suite 230 Park Ridge, IL 60068 847/720-5600 • Fax: 847-720-5601 CUSTOMER SERVICE 847/763-9565 Fuel Oil News P.O.Box 2121, Skokie, IL 60076-7821 M2MEDIA360 Membership applied for 7/1/2010 BEV-AL COMMUNICATIONS INC. Marion Minor Gerald Winkel President/CEO Director of Finance Joanne Juda-Prainito Mary Jo Tomei VP Audience Develolpment Production Director