Overview
- The White House confirmed a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 1, that will bring President Trump, Cabinet energy officials and a cross-section of refiners and fuel distributors to discuss boosting refining capacity and lowering gasoline prices.
- The administration says U.S. refineries are operating near 100% of capacity, which limits how quickly fuel output can rise and makes short-term supply fixes the priority.
- Trump has publicly accused refiners of gouging, urged a Justice Department probe and pressed companies to use recent bumper profits to reduce pump prices.
- Invited companies reportedly include Marathon, Delek US, Chevron, PBF and Valero, while Exxon was not invited, and some industry officials say they worry about the optics of attending.
- The White House is pursuing increased Venezuelan crude flows as a near-term supply move, and industry leaders are expected to raise regulatory and logistical barriers such as biofuel rules and the Jones Act during talks.