12-03-2012

AFPM AM opens with call to develop America's energy resources to benefit the nation

The refining and petrochemical industries can help build a better future for the American people if regulatory conditions are improved and the nation is allowed to develop its abundant energy resources, leaders of the American Fuel& Petrochemical Manufacturers said at the opening of the association's Annual Meeting today.

AFPM Chairman James Mahoney, who is executive vice president for operations excellence and compliance of Koch Industries, opened the Annual Meeting by discussing the importance of manufacturers and how they benefit America, despite an often challenging business and regulatory environment.

"Elected officials from both parties routinely praise American manufacturers, but often fail to acknowledge that we are American manufacturers," Mahoney told AFPM members. "Our members support 2million jobs and the oil and gas sector as a whole supports more than 9 million. We have the potential to do much more and put many more Americans to work, if only the restraints on our industry would be loosened."

AFPM President Charles T. Drevna reiterated the message of the value of American manufacturers, and detailed the potential opportunities available to America if the nation's tremendous energy resources are developed.

"For more than a century, we've played a critical role in movingthe nation forward here at home and on the world stage," Drevnasaid. "In times of peace and prosperity or war and woe, ourindustry built on opportunity and confronted challenge with resolveand determination….  For AFPM, as we look to the next hundredyears, we remain committed to a strong America as a vibrant playerin the global economy."

"The nation needs to hear that we are energy-rich, not energypoor," Drevna added. "The products we make and the jobs we providewill spark a new renaissance in manufacturing and a new prosperityfor our country."

The AFPM Annual Meeting is the largest professional gathering ofits kind in the world and marks the first Annual Meeting since the110-year old trade association changed its name in January from theNational Petrochemical & Refiners Association.  More than1,600 people are attending this year's meeting.

The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers was chosenas a new name for the association because it better describes thework of members and their contributions to America's economic andnational security.

The Annual Meeting runs through Tuesday. Keynote speakers at theevent include Tesoro Corporation President and Chief ExecutiveOfficer Gregory J. Goff, editor and publisher Stuart Rothenberg andbest-selling author Vince Flynn.

The annual meeting features 77 presentations and 15 technicalsessions on a wide range of topics including gasoline, crude oilsupply, refinery operations, petrochemicals, conversiontechnologies and hydrocracking.