b'Holiday Howdy from Montana!! MONTANA Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association ReportMT As we welcome theto submit questions formally in Greetings from Montana! crisp fall air and changing colors, we hope that the fallorder to help guide the process finds you all in good spirits and ready to welcome theand ensure the committee has the Holiday Season. The end of summer and early fall hasinformation needed to proceed. kept MPMCSA busy.As you may have heard,PMAA in Georgia was a huge success. Montana wasMontanas Governor Steverepresented by me and Kary Tonjum, PMAA Director.Bullock is in the hunt for theGetting together with peers and other marketers from2020 Democratic Presidential across the county is a great opportunity to network andnomination. He recently issued an Montana Message keep your finger on the pulse on what is happeningExecutive Order related to whatBrad Longcake around the country. We had two full days of meetingshe has deemed an emergencyMPMCSA Executive Directorand had the opportunity to discuss a number of topics.health crisis for our state. The These included RFS, electric vehicles, and tobaccoorder imposed a 120-day ban issues, along with reports from both the motor fuelson the sale of flavored vaping committee and the convenience store committee. products. It was scheduled to go I had the opportunity to stay and participate in some into effect on October 22, but of the NACS lectures and spend time on the tradevape shop owners have brought show floor. I know I say it every year but if you haveforth a lawsuit and the judge has issued a temporary never been to NACS, I would highly recommend it.restraining order to block the ban. At the time of print, The sheer number of vendors and products to checkeach side has presented arguments and the judge is in out is incredible. deliberation. We are closely monitoring this issue and In mid-October we hosted an event in conjunctionthe impact it will have on our C-Stores. with DEQ in Bozeman to discuss the upcomingIn the coming weeks I will travel to Scottsdale for the changes to the underground storage tank regulations.Western States Executive Director meeting. We will We had an excellent turnout including members, non- be going over legislative issues and sharing whats members, consultants, and DEQ representatives forworking and happening in each state. We have our a very informative evening. Topics included the newyear end MPMCSA board meeting scheduled for early walk through 30-day inspection form, check releaseDecember and will be going over a number of topics detection equipment, spill prevention tests, over fillto finish out the year and to begin planning for our prevention and a number of other topics. Given theannual meeting and trade show the first week of June. turnout and the positive reception, we plan to hostThis year has been extremely busy with the session similar events early in the new year around the state. and all of the work that has continued, to help ensure I also want to thank Leanne Hackney, UST Sectionthat the MPMCSA is always in the front of these is-Supervisor with the DEQ, for all of her hard work onsues. I continue to foster these relationships and work this program and her willingness to work with me andwith other groups to help include information to help the MPMCSA over the past few years. She is transi- sculpt any new rules or regulations. tioning out of her current role and will be missed. WeOn behalf of all of MPMCSA, we wish you all the wish her all the best in her new adventure.happiest of holidays and we look forward to all that Recently I was able to participate in an interim com- 2020 will bring. mittee meeting as we move forward with a Legislative Audit for the Petroleum Tank Release Compensation Board. I was able to provide the committee follow-upBrad Longcake information and clarification. The next step will beExecutive Director SWPMA News / Winter 201929'