DIBONA: U.S. INDUSTRY TO ACCENT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION EFFORTS

Jan. 1, 1990
This is a yearend 1989 statement by the president of the American Petroleum Institute: When Americans identify a problem, they demand solutions and demand them soon. Today, many Americans feel an urgent concern over the environment. That concern has been growing for some years, and environmental considerations are now integral parts of most business decisions. But today that trend is accelerating, and it is likely to continue to do so in the coming decade. There is a growing demand that, with
Charles J. DiBona
Washington, D.C.

This is a yearend 1989 statement by the president of the American Petroleum Institute:

When Americans identify a problem, they demand solutions and demand them soon.

Today, many Americans feel an urgent concern over the environment.

That concern has been growing for some years, and environmental considerations are now integral parts of most business decisions.

But today that trend is accelerating, and it is likely to continue to do so in the coming decade. There is a growing demand that, with this nation's vast resources, more should be done, and done rapidly, to safeguard the environment.

As often impatient problem solvers ourselves, we in the oil business know that combination of characteristics can be both a virtue and a fault.

Fierce concentration on one problem can lead to quick decisions and, often, solutions. But it can also result in a focus on one objective without enough attention to other problems.

ALASKAN SPILL RESPONSE

This past year saw strong public and political response to the Alaskan oil spill, response that translated into action affecting our industry in various areas. The industry moved swiftly to set up the Petroleum Industry Response Organization to deal with future spills at a projected near term cost of hundreds of millions of dollars.

However, some political reaction to the spill resulted in ill-considered steps, including enactment of the most sweeping ban ever placed on exploration on federal land, despite the industry's strong environmental record in that area.

We think that, as lawmakers seek to strengthen environmental policies, care must be taken to avoid similar counterproductive actions unwisely taken in well-intentioned haste. As the nation seeks to further safeguard the environment, it should look for the most effective and efficient policies that promise benefits commensurate with the nation's investment.

And we think those policies should not neglect other national problems-problems such as the nation's trade deficit, more than 40% of which is attributable to oil imports.

These considerations suggest that sound analysis is important. But they do not suggest opposition to further environmental action.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM

The petroleum industry puts a high priority on environmental protection.

Our commitment is reflected in the estimated $55 billion of environmental expenditures that oil companies have made over the last 20 years in all areas of their activity: exploration, production, refining, and distribution.

Our operations employ advanced environmental safeguards that we continuously seek to improve.

We are proud of our environmental record in such daunting operations as deepwater exploration and arctic production of about one quarter of the nation's domestic oil supply.

As we continue to apply technological innovation to environmental problems, we recognize that we must also make the public and lawmakers more aware of the depth of our commitment.

We do not oppose reasonable steps, including steps that affect our operations, to further safeguard the environment. But we seek to participate constructively in determining what those steps should be.

We have sought to do that with the Environmental Protection Agency-for example, by making available our technical information and expertise on wastes from petroleum production-to try to help identify the best way of attaining environmental goals.

We hope that we will be able to continue to do so in the 1990s.

INDUSTRY ACTION

The industry is taking positive steps to aid in the nation's drive for cleaner air, for another example, by collaborating with major U.S. auto manufacturers on a research program designed to produce vehicles and gasoline-based fuels with even lower emissions than today's autos, which are already far cleaner burning than those of just a few years ago.

In their long history, the problem solvers of the American petroleum industry have dealt with a host of no less difficult technical problems, perhaps impatiently at times, but overall with remarkable success.

That is why we are able to deliver, smoothly and efficiently, the 250 million gal of gasoline and 400 million gal of other high quality products needed every day to keep the world's most productive economy running and to help millions of Americans realize their goals for a higher standard of living.

In today's world, with environmental goals high among Americans' aspirations, we intend to continue our contribution to the nation's economy and to make unmistakably clear our environmental commitment, to participate constructively in the quest for a better environment, and to help prove that economic vitality and ecological well-being can proceed together.

Copyright 1990 Oil & Gas Journal. All Rights Reserved.