* Will quit main U.S. refining lobby AFPM
* Says at odds over carbon pricing
* Shell, Total quit AFPM last year
* BP to remain in API
(Adds Exxon comments)
By Ron Bousso
LONDON, Feb 26 (Reuters) - BP will leave the main
U.S. refining lobby and two other trade groups as new Chief
Executive Bernard Looney spurs some of the oil sector's most
ambitious targets for curbing carbon emissions.
The decision follows a review of its membership in over 30
associations around the world, which Looney said in a post on
Instagram was aimed at boosting people's trust in the oil and
gas company.
"BP will pursue opportunities to work with organisations who
share our ambitious and progressive approach to the energy
transition," Looney said in a statement.
BP said its view on carbon pricing, which it says is key in
the energy transition, were "at odds" with those of the American
Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM), which has around 300
members.
"Currently we have no areas of full alignment," BP said.
It will also not renew its membership in the Western States
Petroleum Association (WSPA) and Western Energy Alliance (WEA).
"AFPM is and has been committed to supporting policies that
address climate change," said AFPM Chief Executive Chet
Thompson. "Because of that, it leads us to assume that this
decision was made based on factors other than our actual
positions on the issues."
Bruce Duguid, head of stewardship at Federated Hermes, which
has led talks with BP on shareholder climate resolutions in
recent years, welcomed the move.
"Supportive public policy is vital to achieving BP’s bold
vision to become a net zero company by 2050 or sooner," Duguid
said in a statement.
BP has called for placing a price on carbon emissions in
order to push out the most polluting fossil fuel production
including coal and encourage investment in renewable
energy.
Royal Dutch Shell and Total last year
both said they would not renew their memberships in the AFPM.
BP, one of the largest U.S. refiners and petrochemical
producers and fuel retailers, will a member of the American
Petroleum Institute, the country's largest energy association,
drawing criticism from climate campaigners.
"The industry’s response to climate change is the key
question that will define their performance and viability," Ben
Ratner, senior director at Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) told
Reuters.
BP, Shell and others that in recent years have been
investing in cleaner fuel technology have also opposed AFPM's
efforts to oppose standards requiring refiners to blend or
subsidise the blending of biofuels into the gasoline pool,
saying it hurts independent refiners.
The AFPM has around 300 U.S. and international members
including Exxon Mobil Corp and Chevron Corp which operate 110
refineries and 229 petrochemical plants, its 2018 annual report
showed.
Exxon said it routinely evaluates trade group memberships on
an annual basis. Chevron did not immediately respond to a
request for comment.
BP operates three U.S. refineries including the 430,000
barrels per day Whiting, Indiana plant, its largest.
(Reporting by Ron Bousso and Shadia Nasralla; editing by Jason
Neely and Bernadette Baum)
