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Gasoline and diesel prices are front-of-mind for Americans, and people are understandably interested in whether there’s a connection between higher pump prices (which refiners do not set) and higher profits in the refining industry. That deserves a deeper dive.

Safety is priority one for refiners and petrochemical manufacturers. Every day, our industries operate in complex, high‑risk environments where careful planning, clear communication and shared accountability are essential to keeping people safe. One of the most effective ways companies reinforce that commitment is through a long‑standing practice known as Walk the Job — a successful practice that helps ensure work is done safely before it ever begins. afpm

Hurricane season officially began June 1 — and while early forecasts point to a “below normal” Atlantic season, there’s no such thing in our industries as taking a season off. Forecasters are calling for just one to three major hurricanes and three to six in total this year, a relatively modest outlook by recent standards.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is putting pressure on global oil and fuel markets. In the United States, our refineries are running hard to meet demand but supplies are tighter in some areas of the country that have fewer local supply options and limited ability to quickly bring in fuel from other regions.

Every year, just around Memorial Day, we start getting questions about gas prices and why they are more expensive in the summer. This year, tensions involving Iran are making that question feel more urgent.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has shocked the entire global crude oil and fuels system and pushed up prices everywhere, including in the United States. The United States is better positioned than most because we produce and refine a large share of our own energy, but prices are set in a global market, so U.S. consumers still feel the impact.

With the conflict in Iran causing massive shifts in global energy markets, it's important to remember global supply and demand forces (for both crude oil and refined products) are just one factor of many — albeit a huge one — impacting the prices drivers see at the pump. So, let's walk through all that goes into the price of gasoline.

AFPM is advancing how the refining and petrochemical industries approach safety training by combining immersive technologies with practical, scenario-based learning. Through its Immersive Learning and Training Committee, AFPM brings people together to develop new tools using virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality — technologies that help improve safety, boost performance and optimize training time across all safety disciplines.

Working at height is a reality in refining and petrochemical operations — but serious injuries and fatalities don’t have to be. By sharing knowledge, reinforcing best practices and keeping fall prevention top of mind, the industry continues to strengthen its commitment to protecting workers.