The Circuit – March 2026 Newsletter

News From Our CEO

Leadership Requires Engagement

This month’s issue reflects something important about where Freedom Electronics is right now.

We are moving forward operationally—strengthening our sourcing discipline, launching practical new products, and continuing to refine the way we repair and engineer critical components. At the same time, we are engaging directly in the regulatory conversations that affect our customers and our industry.

Continued Evolution

In this month’s edition of The Circuit, you’ll read about the continued evolution of our purchasing strategy. We’ve moved away from routine buying and toward disciplined, data-driven sourcing. In an environment where lead times and availability can directly impact uptime, that shift matters.

Product Innovation

You’ll also see new product initiatives, including the ELLD Cable Protection Cap, PN FE-16922. This is a simple but practical solution to a common field failure, and our Freedom Engineered Legacy Pump Interface Board, PN FE-T18994-G1. This a new, not remanufactured product developed specifically to address core shortages and keep dispensers running. Both products solve real problems contractors are facing right now.

Veeder-Root Open Letter to Regulators

At the same time, there has been significant discussion surrounding the open letter to regulators by Veeder-Root and how it may be interpreted in practice.

Rather than leave the future to chance, I met with Mike Hollis of NJDEP, along with leaders from other major remanufacturing companies, to better understand New Jersey’s perspective. The discussion was constructive. Mr. Hollis made it clear that New Jersey’s rule is largely derived from federal EPA regulations, and that any substantive clarification would ultimately need to come from EPA.

The current question centers on how the requirement to maintain equipment “in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions” is interpreted. I believe the current interpretation creates unintended consequences that are inconsistent with the structure and intent of 40 CFR Part 280, Subpart D (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-I/part-280/subpart-D)

Subpart D does not establish a brand-exclusive framework. It recognizes multiple pathways for demonstrating that release-detection equipment meets regulatory requirements, including adherence to manufacturer instructions and recognized codes of practice such as PEI RP1200.

In addition, NWGLDE listings have long served as a nationally recognized mechanism for verifying that equipment satisfies the required performance criteria. The system has historically focused on whether equipment performs to standard, not whether it carries a particular label.

The regulations are fundamentally performance-based. Shifting toward a brand-exclusive interpretation would represent a meaningful departure from that structure.

Given the number of TLS-350 systems still operating nationwide, and a publicly announced end-of-support, this is not an abstract issue. Owners and operators need practical, compliant pathways to maintain their systems.

For that reason, I have formally engaged with EPA’s Office of Underground Storage Tanks to seek clarification. Clear guidance benefits regulators, manufacturers, contractors, and operators alike.

Leadership requires engagement. It requires improving what we control internally while also stepping into important industry discussions when necessary.

We will continue to do both.

Patrick Jeitler

Freedom Electronics President & CEO