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Summertime means sunshine, sundaes and summer travel, so it’s no surprise that many Americans spend more time this season on the road, on the water and in the air. Whether vacationing or visiting family and friends across the country and around the world, petroleum fuels 90% of transportation energy demand in the United States and remains the number one source of energy worldwide.

Memories from summer camp can last a lifetime, like finally working up the courage to jump off the rope swing or the excitement you felt performing with your friends in the talent show. When it’s a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) summer camp – those experiences can also ignite a lifelong passion.

Narratives that pit the refining and petrochemical industries against electric vehicles (EVs) ignore the symbiotic relationship of these industries. If you review the history of EVs – you will see that refining and petrochemical companies have been foundational to the EV market all along and will continue to be far into the future.

Hurricane season is coming — beginning June 1 and lasting through the end of November — and with it comes unpredictable storms and heightened risks. With forecasts predicting up to 19 named storms and 10 hurricanes — the refining and petrochemical industries are prepared.

AAA expects roughly 45 million travelers to head out of town and go at least 50 miles from home over the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, breaking a 20-year travel record in the process. The vast majority of these travelers—nearly 90%—are likely to be road warriors, driving cars and trucks fueled by American-made gasoline.

Safety is the top priority for the refining and petrochemical industries. AFPM’s members are committed to maintaining strong safety records while continuously improving performance to protect their people, communities and the environment.

Collaboration is the cornerstone of progress, and when it comes to safety, working together is essential. At AFPM, we believe that sharing knowledge and best practices strengthens our industries and protects the workforce. That’s why we’re proud to participate in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls, May 5 – 9, a dedicated week focused on raising awareness and improving workplace safety.

Bridget Confait-Smith is the Associate Director of Research, Innovation, Technology and Global Sustainability with Westlake Corporation.

Nothing is more important to the refining and petrochemical industries than safety. AFPM’s member companies have strong safety records and consistently work to improve performance to take care of our people, communities and environment.