American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers

American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers
Name	American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers
Abbreviation	AFPM
Formed	2012
Predecessor	American Petroleum Institute, National Petrochemical & Refiners Association
Headquarters	Washington, D.C.
Membership	Major ExxonMobil, Chevron Corporation, BP, Shell plc, Marathon Petroleum
Leader title	President and CEO
Leader name	Cathy Landry

American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers is a Washington-based trade association representing companies in the U.S. refining and petrochemical sectors including major corporations and regional producers. The organization engages with federal and state institutions such as the United States Congress, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Energy, and participates in industry coalitions alongside groups like the American Petroleum Institute, Chamber of Commerce, and National Association of Manufacturers. AFPM interfaces with policymakers, regulatory agencies, and industry stakeholders including energy companies, trade unions, and suppliers to influence legislation, regulation, and standards affecting fuel and petrochemical production.

History

Founded in 2012, the organization resulted from the consolidation of legacy associations rooted in 20th-century industrial lobbying such as the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association and elements associated with the American Petroleum Institute. Early activities reflected priorities common to the Oil Crisis of 1973, the Energy Policy Act of 1992, and responses to market shifts after events like the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and the Global financial crisis of 2007–2008. Throughout the 2010s AFPM engaged with administrations in Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden eras, addressing fuel standards that trace regulatory lineage to statutes such as the Clean Air Act and decisions by the Supreme Court of the United States. The group expanded amid debates over shale developments tied to companies like Halliburton and EOG Resources, and responded to international developments including agreements like the Paris Agreement and geopolitical events affecting supply from Venezuela, Russia, and Saudi Arabia.

Membership and Structure

AFPM's membership includes integrated oil corporations, independent refiners, and petrochemical manufacturers such as ExxonMobil, Chevron Corporation, Shell plc, BP, Marathon Petroleum, Valero Energy Corporation, Phillips 66, PBF Energy, HollyFrontier, Phillips Petroleum Company, and other firms operating refineries in regions including the Gulf Coast of the United States, Mid-Continent oil province, and the West Coast (U.S.). Its governance comprises a board of directors drawn from member CEOs, committees addressing technical standards, safety, transportation, and policy, and a professional staff organized into communications, regulatory affairs, and legal teams. AFPM collaborates with trade organizations like the American Chemistry Council, labor bodies such as the United Steelworkers, and shipping interests represented by the American Waterways Operators in task forces on supply chain resilience, workforce development, and standards tied to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Department of Transportation.

Policy Positions and Lobbying Activities

AFPM advocates positions on fuel specifications, tax policy, trade measures, and regulatory reform that it argues affect refining competitiveness, citing precedents from the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and tariff disputes brought before the United States Trade Representative. The group lobbies on fuel mandates tied to the Renewable Fuel Standard and on regulatory limits enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency, and it engages with congressional committees such as the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. AFPM files comments in rulemakings at agencies including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, and engages in campaign-related activity through political action committees in coordination with state associations and national entities like the National Governors Association and the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Environmental and Climate Impact

AFPM's member operations are major sources of refined products and petrochemicals linked to greenhouse gas emissions subject to oversight under programs like California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 frameworks and regional initiatives such as Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. The association publishes studies on emissions intensity, air pollutants regulated under the Clean Air Act, and compliance strategies relevant to state agencies including the California Air Resources Board and multilateral accords like the Paris Agreement. AFPM has promoted technology pathways including carbon capture and storage concepts explored in projects associated with Department of Energy funding, collaborations with national laboratories such as Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and investments in hydrogen and advanced biofuels tied to projects by members like Air Liquide partnerships.

Legal and Regulatory Engagement

AFPM participates in litigation and administrative proceedings challenging or shaping rules from agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Transportation, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The group has submitted amicus briefs and petitions in cases before the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States on issues ranging from fuel sulfur standards to greenhouse gas regulation. It engages expert witnesses and technical reports in proceedings involving the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and state regulatory commissions such as the California Public Utilities Commission, and works with law firms experienced before courts like the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Controversies and Criticism

AFPM and its members have faced criticism from environmental organizations such as Greenpeace, Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council, and Earthjustice for positions opposing strict greenhouse gas regulations and for communications strategies regarding climate science debated since investigations into industry research in the late 20th century involving actors linked to Tobacco industry legacy litigation and analyses cited in reports by Union of Concerned Scientists. Critics have highlighted lobbying expenditures reported to the United States Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act Database and cited conflicts in public statements versus internal documents reviewed in investigative reporting by outlets like The New York Times, The Washington Post, and ProPublica. Other controversies involve disputes over air and water pollution claims brought by state attorneys general such as those from California and New York, and worker safety incidents at refineries triggering enforcement by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Category:Trade associations based in the United States Category:Petroleum industry