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Non-profit

Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA)

Website:

www.wspa.org
Location:

Sacramento, CA
Tax ID:

95-0596680
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(6)

Budget (2020):

Revenue: $33,413,194
Expenses: $29,546,023
Assets: $12,867,803
Type:

Non-profit petroleum advocacy association
Founded:

1907
President and CEO:

Catherine Reheis-Boyd

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Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) is the oldest conventional-energy advocacy group in the United States. WSPA advocates for the use of fuels in five western states. Western States Petroleum Association seeks what it perceives to be  more sound environmental policies, more access to domestic oil drilling, and increasing resources. WSPA has been a critic of the Biden administration’s targeting of traditional sources of energy.

History

Western States Petroleum Association was founded in 1907 to represent and advocate on behalf of the petroleum industry in California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. 1 WSPA is the oldest petroleum trade association in the United States. 2 WSPA cites that over 366,000 jobs are supported by the oil and gas industry. 3

Policies

Most members of the Western States Petroleum Association are in California. 4 WSPA has focused opposition to increased oil regulations in California. 5 WSPA states that well-designed, market-placed cap and trade programs can produce lower gas emissions when designed properly. 6

California ranks third among states in the country in oil refining capacity. 7 Additionally, California has the most environmental regulations in the nation regarding fuel. 8 Western States Petroleum Association advocates for cleaner transportation while commenting and suggesting more sound regulations in states including California. 9 WSPA notes that over 1,000 permits are still waiting in California for more oil production and could bring begin domestic oil production that the government has not acted. 10

Western States Petroleum Association has also filed a lawsuit in Oregon over new environmental mandates and regulations aimed at conventional fuels. 11 Western States Petroleum Association has criticized the Biden administration for limits on fuel production noting that production is already at near capacity and any bans, mandates, or policies that limit energy development could be detrimental to the economy. 12

Western States Petroleum Association has been an advocate for using well stimulation, a process of injecting pressurized fluid into underground rock to release oil trapped and bring it to the surface. 13 The process has been used for over 60 years and has no impact on drinking water or the environment. 14

Programs

Western States Petroleum Association advocates before state and federal authorities on refining and offshore operations, pipeline and tanker transportation, air and water quality, safety, and environmental issues. 15 WSPA hosts educational seminars, networking events, and conferences. 16

Attack on Fossil Fuels

Author Robert Bryce found that compared to spending by fossil fuel advocates, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) were funding environmental groups and anti-natural fuel groups, outspending them by more than a 4-to-1 margin. 17 Among the environmental NGOs, $4.5 billion was raised to oppose any fossil fuels. 18

Funding

In 2018, the Western States Petroleum Association had net assets of $2,128,988. 19 According to the organization’s tax returns, in 2018 the WSPA recorded $27,492,091 in revenue and $27,076,157 in expenses. 20 In 2017, the Western States Petroleum Association had $22,527,402 in revenue and $23,594,176 in expenses. 21

Leadership

Catherine Reheis-Boyd has been president and CEO of the Western States Petroleum Association since 2010. 22 Reheis-Boyd began her affiliation with WSPA in 1990 and in 2003 was appointed chief of staff. 23  Subsequently, she held the positions of executive vice president and chief operating officer. 24 Reheis-Boyd has a bachelor’s degree in natural resource management from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. 25

References

  1. “Responsible Energy.” Western States Petroleum Association. Accessed April 8, 2023. https://www.wspa.org/about/.
  2. [1] “Responsible Energy.” Western States Petroleum Association. Accessed April 8, 2023. https://www.wspa.org/about/.
  3. “Innovating the Western States.” Western States Petroleum Association. Accessed April 8, 2023. https://www.wspa.org.
  4. “Regulation State.” Western States Petroleum Association. Accessed April 8, 2023. https://www.wspa.org/issue/energy-production/.
  5. “Regulation State.” Western States Petroleum Association. Accessed April 8, 2023. https://www.wspa.org/issue/energy-production/.
  6. “Climate Change.” Western States Petroleum Association. Accessed April 8, 2023. https://www.wspa.org/issue/climate-change/.
  7. “Refining Operations.” Western States Petroleum Association. Accessed April 8, 2023. https://www.wspa.org/issue/refining-operations/.
  8. “Refining Operations.” Western States Petroleum Association. Accessed April 8, 2023. https://www.wspa.org/issue/refining-operations/
  9. “WSPA Response to California Governors 2022 State of the State.” Western States Petroleum Association. Accessed April 8, 2023. https://www.wspa.org/resource/wspa-response-to-california-governors-2022-state-of-the-state/.
  10. “WSPA Response to California Governors 2022 State of the State.” Western States Petroleum Association. Accessed April 8, 2023. https://www.wspa.org/resource/wspa-response-to-california-governors-2022-state-of-the-state/.
  11. “WSPA Litigation to Promote Sound Climate Change Policy in Oregon.” Western States Petroleum Association. Accessed April 8, 2023. https://www.wspa.org/resource/wspa-litigation-to-promote-sound-climate-change-policy-in-oregon/.
  12. “Bans, Mandates, and Bad Policy Impact Families, Business and Our Economy.” Western States Petroleum Association. Accessed April 8, 2023. https://www.wspa.org/resource/bans-mandates-and-bad-policy-impacts-families-business-and-our-economy/.
  13. “Energy Production.” Western States Petroleum Association. Accessed April 8, 2023. https://www.wspa.org/issue/energy-production/.
  14. “Energy Production.” Western States Petroleum Association. Accessed April 8, 2023. https://www.wspa.org/issue/energy-production/.
  15. “Events.” Western States Petroleum Association. Accessed April 8, 2023. https://www.wspa.org/events/.
  16. “Events.” Western States Petroleum Association. Accessed April 8, 2023. https://www.wspa.org/events/.
  17. Bryce, Robert. “The Anti-Industry Industry.” Substack. February 18, 2023. Accessed March 20, 2023. https://robertbryce.substack.com/p/the-anti-industry-industry.
  18. Bryce, Robert. “The Anti-Industry Industry.” Substack. February 18, 2023. Accessed March 20, 2023. https://robertbryce.substack.com/p/the-anti-industry-industry.
  19. Western States Petroleum Association, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990), 2018.
  20. Western States Petroleum Association, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990), 2018.
  21. Western States Petroleum Association, Return of a Nonprofit Corporation (Form 990), 2017.
  22. “Catherine Reheis-Boyd.” Western States Petroleum Association. Accessed April 8, 2023. https://www.wspa.org/staff/catherine-reheis-boyd/.
  23. “Catherine Reheis-Boyd.” Climate One. Accessed April 8, 2023. https://www.climateone.org/people/catherine-reheis-boyd; “Finalist: Catherine Reheis-Boyd.” Los Angeles Times. Accessed April 8, 2023. https://www.latimes.com/b2b/inspirationalwomen/finalist-catherine-reheis-boyd.
  24. “Finalist: Catherine Reheis-Boyd.” Los Angeles Times. Accessed April 8, 2023. https://www.latimes.com/b2b/inspirationalwomen/finalist-catherine-reheis-boyd.
  25. “Catherine Reheis-Boyd.” LinkedIn. Accessed April 8, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathy-reheis-boyd-71964411/.
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: August 1, 1942

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2020 Dec Form 990 $33,413,194 $29,546,023 $12,867,803 $8,239,151 N $24,081,968 $9,207,744 $67,985 $3,090,513
    2019 Dec Form 990 $27,098,669 $28,429,838 $7,068,800 $6,203,053 N $24,109,946 $2,802,511 $236,475 $2,948,072
    2018 Dec Form 990 $27,492,091 $27,076,157 $8,437,965 $6,308,977 N $24,429,327 $2,969,974 $223,756 $3,805,806 PDF
    2017 Dec Form 990 $22,527,402 $23,594,176 $5,437,236 $3,593,192 N $21,982,309 $0 $175,558 $2,362,902 PDF
    2016 Dec Form 990 $19,144,914 $20,380,986 $6,588,685 $3,677,867 N $18,676,646 $0 $166,488 $1,982,625 PDF
    2015 Dec Form 990 $25,863,236 $34,240,861 $6,289,471 $2,142,581 N $25,519,298 $0 $20,500 $2,325,155 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990 $33,903,055 $26,333,589 $15,945,627 $2,827,012 N $32,073,732 $0 $101,765 $2,014,186 PDF
    2013 Dec Form 990 $22,900,461 $19,101,636 $8,696,741 $3,147,592 N $22,523,985 $0 $108,224 $1,925,465 PDF
    2012 Dec Form 990 $16,599,932 $16,418,172 $3,753,055 $2,002,731 N $16,235,705 $0 $105,005 $1,799,359 PDF
    2011 Dec Form 990 $13,602,525 $13,873,201 $4,132,238 $2,563,674 N $13,351,947 $0 $14,464 $2,182,540 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA)

    1415 L Street
    Sacramento, CA 95814-3961