API MEMBERS ADOPT ENVIRONMENTAL PRINCIPLES

American Petroleum Institute member companies have adopted a set of environmental principles, reemphasizing their commitment to safe, ecologically sensitive operations.

API directors, representing all U.S. major oil companies, unanimously adopted the principles. They now become part of API bylaws, and thereby a condition of membership.

API Chairman Allen E. Murray, also Mobil Corp. chairman, president, and chief executive officer, said the oil industry shares the public's concern about the environment.

"At the same time," he said, "we firmly believe that the nation can have environmental protection and economic growth.

"It is vital that we have both, and we believe that the principles we have adopted will help in the full realization of that goal."

THE PRINCIPLES

API said its members want to improve "the compatibility of their operations with the environment, while economically developing energy resources and supplying high quality products and services to consumers.

"The members recognize the importance of efficiency in meeting society's needs and our responsibility to work with the public, the government, and others to develop and to use natural resources in an environmentally sound manner while protecting the health and safety of our employees and the public."

To meet those responsibilities, API members pledged to:

Recognize and respond to community concerns about raw materials, products, and operations.
Operate plants and facilities and handle raw materials and products in a manner that protects the environment and the safety and health of employees and the public.
Make safety, health, and environmental considerations a priority in planning and development of new products and processes.
Advise promptly appropriate officials, employees, customers, and the public of information on significant industry related safety, health, and environmental hazards and recommend protective measures.
Counsel customers, transporters, and others in the safe use, transportation, and disposal of raw materials, products, and waste materials.
Economically develop and produce natural resources and conserve those resources by using energy efficiency.
Extend knowledge of conducting or supporting research on the safety, health, and environmental effects of raw materials, products, processes, and waste materials.
Reduce overall emissions and waste generation.
Work with others to resolve problems created in disposal of hazardous substances from operations.
Participate with government and others in creating responsible laws, regulations, and standards to safeguard the community, workplace, and the environment.
Promote these principles and practices by sharing experiences and offering assistance to others who produce, handle, use, transport, or dispose of similar raw materials, petroleum products and wastes.

ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES

As an example of industry's commitment, Murray pointed out that major oil companies launched a program last October with the auto industry to research various new fuel and engine systems.

It is a program designed to find the cleanest combination of fuels and motor vehicles. First results are due later this year.

Murray said, "We urge Congress, in its current deliberations on renewal of the Clean Air Act, to keep open all options in the search for the optimum fuel and engine system. The results of our research will benefit everyone."

Murray also reminded that API members are establishing the Petroleum Industry Response Organization, a nationwide network of oil spill response centers, and a research program to develop better oil spill cleanup technology.

The program is expected to cost industry $400 million during its first 5 years of operation.

He also noted that oil companies voluntarily rerouted tanker and barge traffic in highly congested or environmental sensitive areas, such as California's Santa Barbara Channel and the Straits of Florida.