WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) President Charles T. Drevna responded today to statements from America's Energy Advantage Coalition suggesting the need to explore export restrictions on natural gas. 

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"AFPM is encouraged about aspects of the coalition's effort that highlight the critical role natural gas will play in bringing about a domestic manufacturing renaissance," said Drevna. "However, we are concerned that some of the coalition's goals seem to suggest a need to limit free trade.

"We believe domestic policy should focus on maximizing access to the nation's abundant natural gas resources and encouraging domestic manufacturers to use those resources. Opening up more public lands to natural gas exploration and production, and regulatory reform aimed at ensuring manufacturers can actually build plants to take advantage of our resources are the best paths toward achieving these objectives," Drevna concluded.

AFPM, the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (formerly known as NPRA, the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association) is a trade association representing high-tech American manufacturers of virtually the entire U.S. supply of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, other fuels and home heating oil, as well as the petrochemicals used as building blocks for thousands of vital products in daily life. AFPM members make modern life possible and keep America moving and growing as they meet the needs of our nation and local communities, strengthen economic and national security, and support 2 million American jobs.

SOURCE American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers