WASHINGTON – President Obama convened a meeting at the White
House last week to receive an update ahead of the 2013 hurricane season, which
began on Saturday, June 1.
During the meeting, Obama received a briefing on the 2013
Hurricane Season Outlook by Kathy Sullivan, acting administrator of NOAA, and
National Hurricane Center Director Rick Knabb on efforts to prepare for the
hurricane season as well as discuss lessons learned from the 2012 season and
the response to Hurricane Sandy.
The conversation touched on the impacts on both the electric
and petroleum sectors in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. Also included in the
discussion were representatives from the oil and gas sector, who raised the
challenges that were faced with respect to fuel shortages in the impacted
areas, and coordination between federal, state, local and private sector
partners to following the response.
President Obama said that he expects his team to continue to
make sure that the administration is taking all necessary steps to prepare ahead
of hurricanes and severe weather during this season, as well as continue to
support states as they also take necessary precautions. He closed the meeting
by stressing the shared responsibility, including among the public, to take
steps to prepare ahead of events and to take warnings and directions from local
officials seriously, most importantly orders to evacuate.
Environment & Energy Daily reports that American
Petroleum Institute CEO Jack Gerard briefed the group on the industry's
hurricane preparation, which could have a strong impact on oil production and
refining operations in and along the Gulf of Mexico.
"Yesterday's meeting is part of API's preparation and
coordination with federal, state and local governments to ensure that in the
event of a supply disruption, our industry can and will return to normal
operations as quickly and safely as possible," API spokesman Brian
Straessle told the news source.
Read more about how Hurricane
Sandy affected the retail fuels industry. Also, check out resources
available online about how your company can better
prepare for hurricane season.