Under a new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rule, 80 percent of diesel fuel produced by domestic suppliers must be of the low sulfur variety. Good news for Nevadans--a fuel rule that will put an end to inky soot seen emanating from trucks and buses. Even better, by the year 2010, the ratio will rise to 100%. The low sulfur fuel can be used by all types of diesel engines, but as of the 2007 model year new buses and trucks will only be able to use the new fuel blend. The EPA's regional administrator, Wayne Nastri, estimates older, dirtier-burning buses and trucks won't actually be phased off the highways before 2030.

The Deuce is loose on Las Vegas streets. The Deuce, a strange looking 41 foot-long, double decker bus, a product of a Scottish-based company, definitely demands attention as it tools along the Strip. If all goes as planned, the Deuce will be part of the neighborhood scene as other routes such as Maryland Parkway and a proposed express route in a planned car pool lane for US Highway 95 in the northwest valley.

At long last the wait is over in Las Vegas for the current version of Toyota's popular gas-electric hybrid Prius. A second shift of workers has made more cars available. However, on October 1, the $3,150 federal income tax credit for a buying a Prius was cut in half. On April 1, 2007, the subsidy will be halved again.

It is not too early to make your reservations for the upcoming Western Petroleum Marketers 54th Annual National Convention, "Proud of What We Do," at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, February 20-22, 2007. Register on-line at: www.wpma.com.

There are lots of events to keep you busy and you can share your knowledge with others in your profession. On deck will be a dynamite list of inspirational and knowledgeable speakers. Keynote speaker Fred Thompson not only has served in the United States Senate, he has appeared in several movies and on the long-running TV series Law and Order. Kyle Petty, Grand Finale Awards Luncheon Speaker, has been around car racing all his life. A great motivational speaker, he is still a winner in every aspect of his life. Ladies' Luncheon speaker Rex Havens delivers delightful tongue-in-cheek comments. His topic? "Everything I Need to Know I Learned from My Wife."

After the WPMA Convention, conventioneers are invited to join the post-convention Mexican Riviera Cruise departing from Los Angeles on Saturday, February 24. The first two days will be spent at sea. First port of call is beautiful Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Have fun in the sun shopping, sightseeing or lounging on the beach. On the following days the ship will dock in Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas. Saturday the ship docks back in Los Angeles in time for more shopping before the flight home. For more information, call Destinations, Inc. (801) 446-5000 or toll-free at 1-800-748-4777.

Originally published in the December 2006 issue of the O&A Marketing News.
Copyright 2006 by KAL Publications Inc.