Automatic Temperature Compensation for Fuel Sales
Hot fuel is a phrase used to describe the decrease in the energy content of a gallon of fuel as its temperature rises. In the United States, a standard gallon of diesel fuel is measured volumetrically at 231 cubic inches. The volume of diesel fuel, like that of any other liquid, varies according to its temperature -- as diesel fuel warms, it expands and becomes less dense (i.e., has a lower BTU value per gallon). Fuel with a lower energy value will have a corresponding negative impact on the fuel efficiency of a truck. While automatic temperature compensation pumps exist, ATA is concerned that the cost of installing these devices will simply be passed on to the consumer in the form of higher fuel prices. ATA strongly opposes a permissive regulatory regime, where fuel retailers are given the ability to choose whether to install pumps equipped with automatic temperature compensation, enabling fuel retailers to take advantage of fuel consumers.
In July 2009, the National Conference of Weights and Measures decided not to adopt recommendations either requiring or permitting the installation of automatic temperature compensation (ATC) fuel dispensers. The withdrawal of both the mandatory and permissive ATC initiatives is in line with ATA’s position opposing the use of ATC.