Energy Tomorrow Blog
The Social License: We’re In This Together
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Kate Lowery
Posted September 27, 2017
Our industry’s “social license to operate” – the broader public’s confidence that our companies’ work, operations and products serve society’s greater good – is based on a number of things, none more important this this:
These are our communities – where we work, live, play, learn and grow. We’re your neighbors. Our children go to school with your children. Our employees and their families care about where they work and live. Those are important reasons why safety, protecting the environment and public health, and giving back to communities are some of industry’s top priorities. All help sustain industry’s compact with other Americans to bring them energy in as safe and responsible a manner as possible.
Hurricane Update: Fueling Those Who Fuel Our Communities
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Mary Schaper
Posted September 19, 2017
We continue to see the best of the American spirit – neighbors helping neighbors across Texas and Florida as recovery efforts continue after Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. When storms hit, there is a select group of people that works around the clock to keep the lights on or get them back running, or to respond to emergencies. There also are a select few who help fuel first responders and communities once recovery efforts begin.
Hurricane Update: Refinery Restarts, Fuel Supplies Rise
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Mark Green
Posted September 18, 2017
Much of the energy-related news from hurricane-recovery areas of Texas and Florida continues to be encouraging. Shell said it was restarting its Deer Park refinery in the Houston area that was shut down three weeks ago with the approach of Hurricane Harvey. ExxonMobil said it could start most of the production units at its Beaumont, Texas, refinery later this week. In Florida, Gov. Rick Scott said pre-Hurricane Irma preparations and a concentrated focus on refueling the state’s communities have shown progress.
Hurricane Update: Florida’s Fuel Receiving Ports Reopening
hurricane response florida fuel supply infrastructure
Mark Green
Posted September 14, 2017
While the recovery in Florida – as well as the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast – will continue over weeks and months, developments indicate the state’s fuel supply remains a top priority and is being served with the help of industry and state and local officials. This is encouraging, given Irma’s Sunday landfall. The historic resiliency of our energy supply system is a part of that – the ability and flexibility of markets to adjust and help areas where fuel product needs are acute.
Capitol Hill Event: Energy Boosts American Life
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Mark Green
Posted September 13, 2017
A special thanks to U.S. Rep. Gene Green of Texas, who shared some thoughts about energy production associated with his Houston-area district, as well as an update on recovery efforts there after Hurricane Harvey, during an API Hill communicators event on Wednesday. ... Green described some of Hurricane Harvey’s impacts, and API President and CEO Jack Gerard, who hosted the event, said lots of Americans have the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast and Florida in their thoughts after Harvey and Irma. Gerard said the storms’ impacts help underscore the essential quality of accessible, reliable energy.
Safety Drives Refinery Shutdowns, Restarts
hurricane response refineries safe operations
Mark Green
Posted September 13, 2017
Ahead of the unprecedented 1 trillion gallons of water dumped on the Gulf Coast by Harvey, industry members acted swiftly to safely shut down facilities while supporting employees, including significant acts of humanitarianism and millions of dollars donated to relief organizations. Safe shut downs of refineries and other energy infrastructure were conducted to help ensure safe restarts when employees were able to return to work.
Yet, in the days after Harvey, some media reports have implied that these shut down and restarting processes were improper and outside the scope of state and federal oversight. To the contrary, in the event of a major storm like Harvey, refineries strive to use controlled emissions and flaring to protect workers, with facilities communicating closely with state and federal officials. This is done to help maximize facility and community safety. Indeed, in Harvey’s wake there have been no reports of explosions or other similarly hazardous conditions for workers or communities.
Hurricane Update: Storage Tank Safety, Improved Fuel Outlook
hurricane response florida texas storage tanks fuel supply
Mark Green
Posted September 12, 2017
Hurricane Update: Infrastructure Resiliency Aids Recovery
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Mark Green
Posted September 8, 2017
With the impacts of Hurricane Irma still to be seen, today’s energy infrastructure network, innovations, technology and knowledge appear to have gained from past big-weather events allow some cautious optimism. That’s the conclusion of a pair of energy experts who briefed reporters during a conference call designed to provide context to the efforts of industry and communities to meet the challenges of a major storm.
Hurricane Update: Three things you need to know about claims of fuel price gouging
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Mark Green
Posted September 8, 2017
1. Industry Does Not Condone Price Gouging
2. Gasoline Stations are largely owned by mom-and-pop retailers
3. Supply and Demand Influences Prices
Hurricane Update: Focusing on Fuel Supplies Before Irma Arrives
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Mark Green
Posted September 7, 2017
As the Texas-Louisiana region continues its recovery from Hurricane Harvey, energy companies are making preparations for Hurricane Irma, which the National Hurricane Center projects could make landfall in Florida on Sunday. The big issue in Florida is consumer access to fuel. Companies are working with state and federal officials to meet needs.