Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association

National Headquarters: 1 NW OOIDA Drive, Grain Valley, MO 64029
Tel: (816) 229-5791 Fax: (816) 427-4468

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Norita Taylor, norita_taylor@ooida.com
(800) 444-5791

 

Summer is a good time to "Turn Down Hot Fuel"

Public education program launched on temperature compensation

(June 20, 2007 -- Grain Valley, MO) – Did you know you may not be getting your money’s worth at the fuel pump? As if fuel prices weren’t high enough, at warmer temperatures, liquids – including diesel and gasoline – expand decreasing the amount of energy (Btu) per gallon purchased. The “Turn Down Hot Fuel” campaign is designed to educate consumers on how “hot fuel” may have them paying higher prices than necessary, and how automatic temperature compensation at retail pumps could remedy that. The campaign is spear-headed by a professional truckers’ organization, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), and includes its own Web site, www.turndownhotfuel.com.

 

The program launch follows a recent hearing by the U.S. House of Representatives Sub-Committee on Oversight and Reform where the issue was raised in Congress. OOIDA Project Leader John Siebert spoke at the hearing as the only consumer representative among several industry leaders. Hot fuel is estimated to cost consumers an extra $2.5 billion each year.

 

What is Hot Fuel?

The phrase “hot fuel” refers to expanded diesel fuel or gasoline that is sold at retail pumps at temperatures higher than the century-old government standard of 60 degrees. That is the temperature/volume used in the petro-chemical industry to measure all petroleum liquids at the refinery and every point after the refinery, except at the retail pump.

At the 60-degree standard, a gallon of fuel delivers a certain amount of measurable energy, referred to as Btu. But when expanded by higher temperatures, that same amount of fuel actually delivers less energy. The warmer the fuel, the less measurable energy and fewer miles to the gallons a vehicle will receive. For example, if a vehicle averages six miles per gallon, 200 gallons of 98-degree fuel is going to take that vehicle 36 fewer miles than 60-degree fuel.

What can be done about it?

There are devices that can be installed on retail pumps to make up the difference in price, called automatic temperature compensation retro-fit kits.

OOIDA has been challenging the National Conference on Weights and Measures to require fuel retailers in all 50 states to install temperature-compensation devices as a solution to this problem. Unchecked temperatures at the pump have meant a discrepancy for decades between what consumers pay and what they actually get when filling their tanks.

Some states have already begun the legislative process to try to put an end to retailers’ practice of selling fuel warmer than 60 degrees. The 60-degree standard was established a century ago by regulators and the refineries. During warmer weather, the temperature of gasoline or diesel fuel can reach as high as 90 degrees, expanding the volume, but decreasing the amount of energy per cubic inch. The result is less energy per gallon, and therefore consumers are getting fewer miles per gallon.

Automatic Temperature Compensation is Not New

Canada has used temperature devices at retail pumps since 1990, and Hawaii adopted the practice in 1975. Opponents of temperature compensation claim the northern, cooler states already create a “wash” for consumers since those retail outlets are selling fuel less than 60 degrees.

“But the numbers just don’t add up,” says Siebert. “The difference in prices paid in the warmer states is far greater than any savings you get in the northern areas.”

The new campaign Web site emphasizes this point plus other myths and facts surrounding the issue. Such as, many consumers mistakenly believe that filling up their car’s gas tank in the morning will save money. But this is simply not the case.

“Temperatures of the fuel in underground storage tanks do not change dramatically enough during a 24-hour cycle,” said Siebert.

“Temperature compensating retail pumps makes the entire transaction transparent, and allows consumers to shop for their best fuel values, because, every gallon of similarly labeled fuel contains the same energy.”

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) is the national trade association representing the interests of small-business trucking professionals and professional truck drivers. OOIDA was established in 1973 and is headquartered in the greater Kansas City, MO area. The Association currently has more than 155,000 members from all 50 states and Canada.