WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chet Thompson, president and CEO of the American Fuel Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM), today issued the following statement in response to comments by Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. in last night’s presidential debate:
Transitioning from oil and natural gas in a few years’ time would upend life as we know it and be devastating to the more than 3 million U.S. jobs supported by the refining and petrochemical industries, including in Texas and Pennsylvania. Refiners and petrochemical manufacturers reliably provide the products that make modern life possible and keep our country moving, all while giving back to our communities and continuing to make our operations and products cleaner. AFPM welcomes Vice President Biden to visit one of our facilities any time. There’s a lot he’d be interested to learn about how the refining and petrochemical industries have become cleaner, safer and more efficient since he was a boy.
"For example, fuels and cars today are cleaner than they’ve ever been — 99 percent cleaner for common pollutants since the 1970s and with half the carbon emissions. Our petrochemical products are vital to all sorts of alternative energy and transportation options, from wind turbines and solar panels to electric vehicles. We are accountable through rigorous regulation and oversight, and our work and products are getting better and cleaner every year — without government subsidies. Our work is essential and irreplaceable.
"Americans rely on the refining and petrochemical industries for affordable fuels and critical products, including raw materials for the PPE needed to fight COVID. The modern economy, American energy security and a cleaner energy future all depend on our work. Vice President Biden’s views are not universal, as there is bipartisan support for the oil and gas industry, and regardless of who wins on November 3, we will remain committed to supplying the fuels and petrochemicals America needs to thrive."
The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) is the leading trade association representing the makers of the fuels that keep us moving, the petrochemicals that are the essential building blocks for modern life, and the midstream companies that get our feedstocks and products where they need to go. We make the products that make life better, safer and more sustainable — we make progress.
