1997 ANNUAL REPORT
WSPA ASSOCIATES

WSPA Associates Prove Value of Grassroots Advocacy

The WSPA Associates proved the value of grassroots advocacy on federal, state and local levels in 1997 and moved forward with plans to expand to the Bay Area next year.

The Southern California Chapter, in association with the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, waged a very successful letter-writing campaign culminating in legislation extending the sales tax exemption for bunker fuel in all California ports. When the exemption was first eliminated in 1991, bunker sales plummeted and many small companies depending on the bunkering market were forced to close. The exemption was reinstated, but would have expired in January of 1998 unless the legislation was passed.

The Coastal Chapter launched a letter-writing campaign to force through consideration of a bill that would expand existing marine spill fines and apply them to all waters of the state including groundwater, manmade water structures and free-flowing waters. In addition, the bill would authorize criminal prosecution and civil penalties against anyone spilling more than one barrel of oil or petroleum products regardless of intent or negligence. Opposition will continue as the bill is scheduled to be considered in a Senate committee next January.

On the local level, Coastal Chapter members testified at Santa Barbara Air Pollution Control District (APCD) hearings in opposition to a strategic plan incorporated in the district's budget process which would place additional fees upon the petroleum industry. The district responded by eliminating the increased fee proposal within the plan replacing it with a broader funding base incorporating alternative revenue sources.

With the potential impact of EPA's National Ambient Air Quality Standards on small business and the petroleum industry, WSPA Associates members from both chapters filed comments with the EPA prior to the adoption of the standards. Once the standards were adopted, the Associates contacted key legislators in support of two federal bills that would require further study into the cost-effectiveness and true environmental benefits of the more stringent standards.

In 1998, the Coastal and Southern California chapters will be joined by a third. The Bay Area Refining Committee and the Bay Area External Affairs Subcommittee are working to establish a new Associates chapter for their region.

1997 WSPA Annual Report
WSPA Associates