Oil and energy trade association, the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, has retained government affairs shop Capitol Counsel LLC for representation in Washington on energy and environmental issues.

AFPM, which was formerly known as the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association, represents virtually every gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and home heating oil manufacturer and refiner in the U.S. The trade group has hired CC for strategic counsel and lobbying support among legislative and executive branch officials on issues including the renewable fuel standard program, the federal initiative established by Congress under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 that requires transportation fuel sold in the U.S to contain a minimum volume of renewable fuels.

AFPM

That controversial program, which amended the Clean Air Act in a bid to curb greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the country’s reliance on imported oil, was expanded significantly under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which centered on increasing the production of renewable fuels and ultimately achieving greater U.S. energy independence. The Environmental Protection Agency sets RFS' renewable fuel volume requirements for each calendar year.

Efforts have been made within Congress and among trade groups to either repeal the RFS program or lower its compliance requirements. Oil and natural gas trade group the American Petroleum Institute in February petitioned the EPA to deny proposed requests to further alter fuel obligation requirements under the RFS program.

Capitol Counsel will also aid AFPM on issues pertaining to transportation and infrastructure and safety and security, as well as the Clean Air Act.

Capitol Counsel is headed by founding partner John Raffaelli, a Democratic lobbyist who was trade and tax advisor to former Texas Senator Lloyd Bentsen and a founder/chairman of The Washington Group and its predecessor firm, Raffaelli, Spees, Springer and Smith.

AFPM in July hired D.C-based government relations consulting firm Daly Consulting Group for lobbying help on issues related to climate change disclosure.