Answering Aunt Edna

Powerful storms have gripped parts of the U.S. in recent weeks and severely impacted areas where Chevron operates. Aunt Edna wants to know how our industry prepares for and recovers from natural disasters.

Industry Resources

The Gulf Coast is home to over half of all U.S. refinery capacity and plays a significant role storing crude oil and petroleum products. Hurricanes Harvey and Irma caused many refineries to reduce runs or shut down completely, and crude and petroleum supply chains were temporarily disrupted.

The following resources may be useful as you address questions from Aunt Edna on these topics.

• The American Petroleum Institute (API) produced a fact sheet on hurricane preparedness and response in the Gulf, and what happens to fuel prices when refinery operations are hampered.
• American Fuels and Petrochemicals Manufacturers (AFPM) has information on how refineries restore operations after a shutdown. Check out blog posts Restarting After Harvey and Florida: Irma’s Potential Impact to Fuel Supply to read more.
• The National Association of Manufacturers compiled a list of the ways some in the industry are providing assistance to those impacted by Harvey.

Aunt Edna has been reading a lot about fuel price increases because of hurricanes. What is being done to address this issue?

Chevron does not condone price gouging. Our marketing agreements with independently owned distributors require them to comply with all laws. Chevron will diligently follow up on price gouging allegations and take appropriate action.

This AFPM blog post on Natural Disasters and Price Gouging has more on how Texas, Florida, Louisiana and California limit retailers’ ability to raise prices during an emergency.

The Chevron Way: Protect People and the Environment

At Chevron, we are committed to protecting the health and safety of our workforce, our natural environment and the communities where we operate. This value was recently tested and resoundingly proven true by our Chevron family across the country, who responded with an outpouring of support for colleagues and business partners suffering from the devastation of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

Chevron Humankind: Two-To-One Match

If you are interested in supporting relief efforts, contributions made by U.S. paid employees and retirees to the American National Red Cross and United Way of Greater Houston Hurricane Harvey will be matched 2-to-1 through October 31, 2017. Visit the Chevron Humankind homepage to contribute.*

Our thoughts are with those affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

*Employees and retirees who have already reached their annual match cap can request up to a $500 match to either of these organizations by contacting Chevron Humankind at CVXHMKD@chevron.com.

‘Answering Aunt Edna’ is a recurring series that is designed to help CAN members answer tough questions from their friends, family, and neighbors.