Pipelines and refi neries work together to provide a safe, reliable fuel supply. A By Annette Bertelsen s trucks, tractors and fi re engines line up for summer parades and festivals on Main Streets across the United States, it’s a good time to consider the vital role the cooperative system plays in fueling America’s small towns. “As the nation’s largest cooperative refi ner, our strength is serving rural America. We are a strong player in our marketplace,” says Jim Loving, CHS senior vice president for refi ning, pipelines and terminals. CHS focuses on middle America, while the industry’s largest refi ners concentrate on serving high-population areas, particularly on the coasts and near the Great Lakes. U.S. refi nery capacity has held relatively stable in recent decades, but the number of refi neries has dropped from about 325 in 1980 to 133 today. “The companies that remain are stronger and have expanded,” Loving says. > SEE MORE Watch a video at chsinc.com/c or download the C magazine app (see page 3). Your CHS Connection 7