WASHINGTON, DC�The National Petroleum Council, the US Secretary of Energy�s oil industry advisory group, will issue a major report June 20 on the challenges facing the US refining industry.
Energy Sec. Bill Richardson requested the report, which will outline the refining industry�s economic viability and continuing capability to meet consumer demands for petroleum products.
The NPC refining committee drafted the study. It was chaired by Lee Raymond, chairman, president, and CEO of ExxonMobil Corp. Sec. Richardson will accept the report during the meeting.
Also at the meeting, the NPC committee on critical infrastructure protection will issue a progress report.
As a result of several pending environmental regulations related to fuel qualities, US refiners are facing the possibility of having to make significant capital investments in order to continue operating.