Diesel inventories in the United States and around the world are low and there is growing concern about what tight supplies could mean heading into a cold winter. Below, AFPM’s industry analysts explain (1) what’s behind this particular supply chain challenge, (2) how U.S. refiners are adapting operations to meet consumer needs (i.e., running full out and maximizing distillate production) and (3) the role government might play in bringing about resolution.
Restricting exports would be a major unforced error for the President, tightening global fuel supplies, throttling U.S. fuel production and increasing costs for American consumers. Likewise, imposing product inventory requirements boils down to siphoning gasoline and diesel into storage, and away from consumers.
Oil markets are famously sensitive to uncertainty. Global conflict can send prices higher on concerns that crude oil supplies could be disrupted. This is playing out in response to Russia’s unprovoked acts of war against Ukraine. Russia is a major supplier of crude oil and other energy products globally, though less so in the United States. In recent days, many market participants have committed to stop purchasing Russian oil. Shipping companies are concerned about loading cargoes from Russia and some shippers are finding the cost associated with such cargoes too high. These moves are tightening an already tight market.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5729, the Transportation Worker Identification Credential Accountability Act of 2018
WASHINGTON, D.C. – AFPM released the following statement in support of the Fairness for Every Driver Act of 2019 introduced by Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.).
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) applauds the House Energy & Commerce Committee for passing H.R. 4775, the “Ozone Implementation Act of 2016” and urges the House of Representatives to take further action on this critical piece of legislation.
AFPM President & CEO Chet Thompson sent a letter House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy expressing AFPM’s opposition to H.R. 7688, the Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act.
AFPM opposes the Inflation Reduction Act as written. We evaluated the bill against our core principles, specifically whether the legislation would support strong U.S. refining and petrochemical industries and whether it pursued emissions reductions in a market-based and cost-effective manner. Unfortunately, the IRA falls short of these goals.
Congress, regulators, and industry should collaborate to enhance energy product reliability programs and regulations at existing agencies, rather than complicating matters through the creation of a new, duplicative reliability regulator.
