Happy Valentine’s Day! ❤️
Charlie is in the frozen tundra of Montana skiing ⛷️and ice climbing (seriously), so I get the pleasure of pinch hitting for this week’s newsletter.
Here’s some of what’s been on my mind:
- Alkylate (yes, I know I’m strange). We’ve received a couple questions this week about alkylation units and alkylation catalysts and that always brings me back to the basics: What is alkylate and why do we need it? How do refineries manage HF alkylation? And more FAQs here.
- America’s ‘liquid gold.’ Imagine you found yourself in The Cash Cab and the final question was about crude oil. Specifically, how much of the crude processed by American refineries is, in fact, U.S.-produced crude? Test your knowledge! If you’re a regular reader, you probably know this off the top of your head. Shout out to our friend Patrick De Haan (@GasBuddyGuy) for sharing this with his followers too!
- San Antonio, TX. I’m gearing up for the AFPM Annual Meeting with the rest of our team and I hope to see a lot of you there. It’s coming up soon, March 2-4, so make sure to register!
As always, let us know what energy topics are on your mind and if there are specific issues you’d like us to tackle in a future message.
Ericka and the AFPM | EMPOWER team
In the news
Trump orders federal agencies to study reciprocal tariffs - The Wall Street Journal
The order stops short of actually imposing the tariffs immediately, as many foreign capitals feared, and instead directs the Commerce Department and the U.S. trade representative to deliver reports on the steps to be taken to achieve reciprocal trading status.
California’s surge in EV sales has stalled — so what happens to its landmark mandate? - CapRadio
California’s push to electrify its cars is facing a potentially serious problem: People aren’t buying electric cars fast enough.
Trump okays $782 million loan to sustainable jet fuel plant in Montana - The Washington Post
With cash in hand, Montana Renewables can start a long-planned project to expand a factory that turns fat into diesel and jet fuel, CEO Bruce Fleming said.
NJ needs a new energy plan. Our current plan isn't sustainable | Opinion - The Bergen Record
Another aspect of the state's Energy Master Plan that we hope will be revised is the proposed bans on widely used appliances like gas ovens, gas-powered cars and conventional furnaces.
Senators propose killing US EV tax credit, new $1,000 tax for road repairs - Reuters
U.S. Senate Republicans on Wednesday proposed a pair of bills to kill the country's $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit and impose a new $1,000 tax on EVs to pay for road repairs.
‘Back to plastic': Trump signs order for plastic straws as he declares paper ones ‘don’t work’ - Associated Press
President Donald Trump said Monday he is banning federal use of paper straws, saying they “don’t work” and don’t last very long. Instead he wants the government to exclusively move to plastic.
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