Thursday November 2, 2006 FEATURES Study considers viability of cellulose ethanol market "The Market for Cellulose Ethanol," a 68-page report marketed by Energy Business Reports, Anthem, Ariz., analyses how cellulose ethanol is produced, how cost-effective it is, growth drivers promoting the use of ethanol over other fuels and barriers to market. Among the most recent barriers to crop up was an Oct. 5 announcement by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. that it was suspending authorization for manufacturers to use UL markings on components for fuel-dispensing devices that specifically reference compatibility with alcohol blended fuels that contain greater than 15 percent alcohol (i.e. ethanol, methanol or other alcohols). (Full Story) Tobacco initiatives to be decided in six states Anti-smoking initiatives are on the Nov. 7 ballot in Arizona, California, Ohio, Nevada, South Dakota and Missouri. Tom Briant, executive director of the National Association of Tobacco Outlets, told NPN MarketPulse, "NATO's been very active in each of the states," campaigning on behalf of tobacco retailers' interests. (Full Story) Sign up for a FREE subscription to NPN, the magazine that has been reporting news and trends in the petroleum and convenience store industry since 1909. SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT Get The Data That Drives The Petroleum & Convenience Industry Today! To order your print copy or CD version of the 2006 NPN MarketFacts edition, please click here NEWS ITEMS Regulators: Change of equipment could protect refinery workers Federal investigators on Oct. 31 urged the petroleum industry to eliminate the use of atmospheric vents like the kind involved in last year's fatal blast at the BP Texas City refinery, The Houston Chronicle reported. (Full Story) Louisiana governor, seeking new refinery project, to travel to Kuwait Gov. Kathleen Blanco is traveling to Kuwait to try to arrange for a new refinery for Louisiana, The Daily Advertiser reported Nov. 1. It could be the first new oil refinery built in the United States in 30 years, the newspaper noted. (Full Story) Petroleum Consolidators to acquire a BP-branded station Petroleum Consolidators of America, Inc. announced Oct. 31 that it has signed a letter of intent with an independent owner to acquire a BP-branded gas station in Charlotte County, Fla. (Full Story) In Canada: Budget doubles for proposed Newfoundland refinery A company planning to build a second refinery in southern Newfoundland says the project's budget has doubled its original estimate, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. (CBC) reported Nov. 1. (Full Story) Kaman Holdings buys nine U.S. gas stations for $11.2 million Kaman Holdings (Mendelson Group) Ltd., subsidiary Isal Amlat Investment Ltd. on Oct. 31 announced the acquisition of nine U.S. gas stations and convenience stores from Convenience and Petroleum Markets LLC (CPM), for $11.2 million, plus an additional sum for inventory, Globes, an Israeli newspaper, reported. (Full Story) In Los Angeles: Famima!! to open its eighth store Famima Corporation, the U.S. branch of FamilyMart Co., Ltd., a convenience store franchise, announced Oct. 30 that it plans to open its eighth store on Oct. 31 in downtown Los Angeles. (Full Story) U.S.: BP budget cuts a factor in refinery blast that killed 15, injured 170 Budget cuts and a lack of leadership contributed to safety problems at BP PLC's Texas City plant, the site of a deadly explosion last year, federal investigators said Oct. 30, according to the Associated Press. The investigators cited BP documents as the basis for their comments, the AP reported. (Full Story) NextEnergy to provide Michigan retailers with incentives to sell biofuels NextEnergy, Michigan's alternative energy accelerator, announced Oct. 30 that it has been awarded a Biofuels Infrastructure Incentive Grant, enabling it to offer incentives to Michigan gas station retailers to install or convert fueling equipment to ethanol (E85) and/or biodiesel (B20). (Full Story) Merchants say MasterCard interchange rates only a piece of puzzle Mallory Duncan, chairman of the Merchants Payments Coalition (MPC) and senior vice president and general counsel at the National Retail Federation, issued the following statement Oct. 30 in response to MasterCard's release of interchange rates charged to merchants: (Full Story) Susser Holdings changes store name from 'Circle K' to 'Stripes' Approximately 70 Circle K convenience stores operated by Susser Holdings are being renamed. They are to be called "Stripes." (Full Story) Lorillard to venture into smokeless tobacco business Lorillard Tobacco Co. said it would introduce a line of smokeless tobacco products, reported The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area. (Full Story) Chevron's profit is $5 billion; its highest quarterly earnings ever Chevron Corp., San Ramon, Calif., reported third-quarter profit of $5 billion, surging beyond analysts' estimates. (Full Story) Imperium Renewables starts construction of biodiesel plant Elected officials from across Washington state joined executives from Imperium Renewables on Oct. 27 at Port of Grays Harbor to mark the pouring of the foundation for the nation's largest biodiesel plant, the company said. (Full Story) Royal Farms expanding foodservice, polishing image Royal Farms' competitive strategy calls for larger stores with more deli choices -- including sushi -- and eat-in cafes, said an official at the Baltimore-based corporation, according to an Oct. 27 article by the Delmarva Daily Times. (Full Story) In California: Oil and tobacco companies fight propositions 86 and 87 Oil and tobacco companies and their allies have raised nearly $144 million to fight propositions 86 and 87, which would boost tobacco and oil taxes to pay for health and alternative energy programs, the Associated Press reported Oct. 28. (Full Story) Reynolds American: inventory problem to clear up within weeks A shortage in packaging materials created inventory issues for Reynolds American Inc. (RAI) in the company's third quarter, said Chief Financial Officer Dianne M. Neal, according to MarketWatch. (Full Story) In New England: McDonald's makeover presages national rollout A made-over McDonald's format is making its debut in New England, and it features leather chairs, plasma televisions, and wireless Internet access, The Boston Globe reported Oct. 26. (Full Story) The Pantry comments on robust fiscal 2006 results The Pantry, Inc., Sanford, N.C., announced Oct. 23 that it expects fiscal 2006 earnings per share to substantially exceed its previous guidance. (Full Story) Study: Gasoline costs are heavier for heavy people A new study says U.S. drivers are burning nearly 1 billion more gallons of gasoline a year than in 1960 because of weight they've added, the Seattle Times news services reported Oct. 26. (Full Story) Citgo ad campaign highlights business strengths and good works Citgo Oil is running a new advertising campaign that highlights the company's strengths and charitable actions. (Full Story) A favorite on U.S. dinner tables: the sandwich The most popular main dish served for supper in U.S. homes is a sandwich, according to Eating Patterns in America, a survey from NPD Group, a market research firm, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported Oct. 24. (Full Story) Fluor lands contracts for upgrade of BP refinery in Indiana Fluor Corp., Irving, Texas, has landed initial contracts worth $300 million for engineering and fabrication packages at BP Products North America's $3 billion Canadian heavy crude refinery upgrade in Whiting, Ind., according to the Dallas Business Journal. (Full Story) EIA: Average retail gasoline price decline slows; diesel prices increase The U.S. average retail price for regular gasoline fell 1.8 cents to hit 220.8 cents per gallon as of October 23, 39.5 cents lower than a year ago, according to the Oct. 25 edition of "This Week in Petroleum," published by the Energy Information Administration. (Full Story) Altria looks ahead to spinoff of Kraft Foods Altria Group Inc. on Oct. 25 said it intends to reach its final decision on the spinoff of Kraft Foods Inc., including the timing of the spinoff, at a Jan. 31 board meeting, Reuters reported. (Full Story) Sheetz is among Biofuels Leadership Award winners Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell on Oct. 23 announced that 14 Pennsylvania business and community leaders, including Mike Lorenz of Sheetz, Inc., Altoona, have been presented with Governor's Biofuels Leadership Awards. (Full Story) PRODUCT OF THE WEEK Pierre brings specialty-shop sandwiches to the c-store Pierre Foods introduces its new premium line, Signatures, that provides the flavor and appeal of specialty-shop sandwiches with convenience and affordability. Featuring top-quality meats, rich cheeses, gourmet sauces and artisan breads, these sandwiches are sure to make consumers take notice. Showcased in eye-catching, high-end cartons, Pierre Signatures represents a great opportunity to increase lunch and dinnertime sales. Pierre Signatures sandwich varieties include: Buffalo Chicken on a Corn-Dusted Roll, Chicken Marinara on a Sundried Tomato Hoagie Roll, Swiss Mushroom Burger on a Focaccia Roll, Sicilian Pizza Burger on a Garlic Parmesan Roll, Philly Cheesesteak on a Hearth-Baked Roll, Turkey & Sundried Tomato Basil Mozzarella on Buttermilk Bread, Ham & Havarti on Wheatberry Bread, and Salami & Cheddar on a Pretzel Roll. Pierre Foods, Inc. www.pierrefoods.com CALENDAR OF EVENTS NACS Regional Grassroots Events Hotel Hershey Hershey, Pa. Nov. 6-8 www.nacsonline.com Site School Fairmont Chicago Chicago Nov. 9-10 (866) 620-5940 www.opisnet.com/siteschool   SIGMA 2006 Annual Meeting Fairmont Hotel Chicago Nov. 10-12 (703) 709-7000 www.sigma.org AWMA Distribution Summit & Executive Conference Ritz Carlton New Orleans New Orleans Nov. 11-14 (703) 208-3358 www.awmanet.org   Ethanol and Biodiesel Management Westin Galleria Houston Nov. 15-17 (866) 620-5940 opisnet.com/ethbiomgmt/ Fall Pressure Vessel Conference Hilton Houston Post Oak Hotel Houston Nov. 16 (847) 438-8265 www.steeltank.com   For a complete list of industry events, go to NPN's calendar web page.  Published By NPN Group |  © 2006 NPN Group | All Rights Reserved For more information on NPN MarketPulse, contact: Gary Bevers, group publisher M2MEDIA360 Retail Distribution Group Ph: 832-444-7675 Fax: 800-430-3446 Chris Traczek, editor-in-chief M2MEDIA360 NPN Group Ph: 630-739-0280 Fax: 630-739-0321 This newsletter is protected by United States copyright and other intellectual property laws and may not be reproduced, rewritten, distributed, re-disseminated, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast, directly or indirectly, in any medium without the prior written permission of M2MEDIA360.

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