Happy Monday! I’m keeping this week’s intro light and sweet, but read on if you’re among our EMPOWER members in New Jersey and Virginia.
Those of you in New Jersey and Virginia:
In a few months (on November 4) both NJ and VA will hold their general elections. Key deadlines for these elections are approaching quickly. Tomorrow is the deadline for NJ mail-in ballots (primary) and 6/6 is the VA deadline for absentee ballots for their 6/8 primary.
As always, we want to emphasize how important it is for the people who work in our industries to make their voices heard. So make sure you’re informed and ready to vote! You can check your voter registration status here: https://empowervotes.afpm.org/
-Charlie and the AFPM EMPOWER team
Have ideas for content, comments or questions? You can reach us at empower@afpm.org.
What we’re reading this week
Are we headed for a record summer driving season? - AFPM
As we head into a potentially record-summer driving season, remember gasoline prices are complicated and influenced by a number of factors.
Hybrid vehicle sales continue to rise as electric and plug-in vehicle shares remain flat - EIA
About 22% of light-duty vehicles sold in the first quarter of the year in the United States were hybrid, battery electric, or plug-in hybrid vehicles, up from about 18% in the first quarter of 2024. Among those categories, hybrid electric vehicles have continued to gain market share while battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles have remained relatively flat, according to estimates from Wards Intelligence.
Government is driving gas prices through the roof in California - The San Diego Union-Tribune
Governor Newsom wants zero gas-powered cars sold in California by 2035, which sends a strong signal to refiners about the long-term value of investment in the Golden State. The state makes permitting for refinery expansion or upgrades extraordinarily difficult and time-consuming for oil companies. On top of that, California has high labor costs and the highest corporate tax rate in the western states. Our electricity costs are among the highest in the country, making it tough for power-intensive refineries to operate profitably.
IATA expects sustainable aviation fuel production to double in 2025 - Reuters
The International Air Transport Association said on Sunday it expects the amount of sustainable aviation fuel produced to double in 2025 to reach 2 million tonnes, representing 0.7% of airlines' fuel consumption.
Farmers Press Trump on Biofuels to Counter Tariffs Hit - Bloomberg
After losing their biggest export market due to Donald Trump’s trade wars, US farmers are now counting on the president’s support for biofuels to prevent their next crop from piling up in storage.
Trump officials are visiting Alaska to discuss a gas pipeline and oil drilling - Associated Press
The Trump administration is sending three Cabinet members to Alaska this week as it pursues oil drilling in the pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and reinvigorating a natural gas project that’s languished for years.
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