3 reasons we’re against a government-mandated CO2 emissions plan

The latest issue of The PMAA Journal features an article by Rob Underwood, PMAA president, and Sharon Peterson, PMAA Chair, discussing “The Survival of the Petroleum” – Liquid Fuels Industry: A New Game.

You can read the article in full, here, but Underwood and Peterson argue that the government’s push for electric vehicles and zero-emissions energy may actually backfire in the long run. During the course of the last decade, the petroleum industry developed an array of highly-efficient and clean-burning fuels including:

• Renewable diesel
• Higher octane gasoline
• Low-carbon petroleum-based fuel

Believe it or not, research shows that investing in these types of fuel sources makes more sense because upgrading the power grid to serve millions of electric vehicles will actually cause more CO2 emissions in the long run. Here are three additional reasons we think the government should stay out of this fight.

1. Innovation. Rules are there for a reason, but too many regulations stifle creativity and ultimately, innovation. As we mentioned earlier, oil and gas manufacturers have made huge efforts to cut back on their carbon and greenhouse gas emissions. Lots of exciting new research is happening every day, but a federal ban could put a damper on that, quickly.

2. Technology. Clean energy is incredibly exciting, but there’s a lot we still don’t know. In their article, Underwood and Peterson note that many electric automobile manufacturers are still trying to minimize battery weight. And that doesn’t even consider problems like a lack of charging stations nationwide or temperature control challenges during extreme weather. Putting a new law into effect before solving these issues could mean further challenges down the line.

3. Collaboration. If there’s one thing petroleum marketers do well, it’s collaborating. Petroleum marketers are always putting their heads together to improve systems, cut costs, and boost the industry as a whole. A government-mandated CO2 emissions plan could dampen this collaborative spirit, making the prospect of running a business increasingly difficult.

To be clear, we support any effort that makes our planet safer and more inhabitable for everyone, but we firmly believe these goals can be achieved without government intervention. Where do you stand on a government-mandated CO2 emissions plan? Visit our Facebook page and let us know.