WASHINGTON - More than 100 convenience and fuel retailers are on Capitol Hill this week for the 2011 NACS Day on the Hill Congressional Fly-In. Their mission is simple: to make sure Congress protects the interests of consumers and business owners.

When constituents meet with their elected officials, they have the ability to open eyes and change opinions. Such grassroots engagement is essential to effectively influencing the direction of public policy and the retailers in Washington this week are witnessing this first hand.

Today, NACS retail members are going to meetings at more than 180 congressional offices and impressing upon these policymakers the importance of the convenience and fuels retailing industry. Retailers are carrying with them three principle messages:

• The convenience and fuels retailing industry is a dominant player in the U.S. economy and Congress must rely on local retailers and NACS as valuable resources. Here are the facts:
• The industry generates half a trillion dollars in sales each year, representing approximately one of every 28 dollars spent in the United States.
• The industry operates 146,000 stores located in every congressional district.
• The industry employs more than 1.5 million workers.

• Congress must not delay, amend or repeal the Durbin swipe fee reforms enacted last year.
• Banks and card companies are engaged in price fixing and Main Street business and consumers need relief
• The Durbin swipe fee amendment is a responsible and limited measure that benefits consumers, merchants and small banking institutions
• Delaying the Durbin amendment would cost consumers $1 billion each year and kill as many as 95,000 jobs

• Our industry sells 80 percent of the gasoline in the nation but cannot sell more renewable fuels without legislative changes. Please support legislation to reform retailer liability associated with new, renewable fuels.
• Enable retailers to have existing equipment evaluated and certified as compatible with new fuels that enter the market.
• Ensure that retailers who properly label dispensers cannot be held liable for self-service consumers misfueling non-approved engines with new fuels.
• Protect retailers from liability for selling approved fuels in a legal fashion today if those fuels are determined unlawful tomorrow.

If you are not able to join your colleagues this week in Washington, we urge you to call your legislators to deliver these messages. You can reach your elected officials through the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121.

In addition, you can obtain contact information on your legislators and send them a letter regarding swipe fee reforms by visiting nacsonline.com/grassroots.