HollyFrontier 2014 Annual Report Download - page 35

Table of Content
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Any substantial increase in the nonpayment and/or nonperformance by our customers or vendors could have a material adverse
effect on our results of operations and cash flows.
Terrorist attacks, and the threat of terrorist attacks or domestic vandalism, have resulted in increased costs to our business.
Continued global hostilities or other sustained military campaigns may adversely impact our results of operations.
The long-term impacts of terrorist attacks, such as the attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, and the threat of future terrorist
attacks on the energy transportation industry in general, and on us in particular, are not known at this time. Increased security
measures taken by us as a precaution against possible terrorist attacks or vandalism have resulted in increased costs to our business.
Future terrorist attacks could lead to even stronger, more costly initiatives or regulatory requirements. Uncertainty surrounding
continued global hostilities or other sustained military campaigns may affect our operations in unpredictable ways, including
disruptions of crude oil supplies and markets for refined products, and the possibility that infrastructure facilities could be direct
targets of, or indirect casualties of, an act of terror. In addition, disruption or significant increases in energy prices could result in
government-imposed price controls. Any one of, or a combination of, these occurrences could have a material adverse effect on
our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Changes in the insurance markets attributable to terrorist attacks could make certain types of insurance more difficult for us to
obtain. Moreover, the insurance that may be available to us may be significantly more expensive than our existing insurance
coverage. Instability in the financial markets as a result of terrorism or war could also affect our ability to raise capital including
our ability to repay or refinance debt.
Increases in required fuel economy and regulation of CO2 emissions from motor vehicles may reduce demand for transportation
fuels.
In 2010, the EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) finalized new standards, raising the required
Corporate Average Fuel Economy (“CAFE”) of the nation's passenger fleet by 40% to approximately 35 miles per gallon (“m.p.g.”)
by 2016 and imposing the first-ever federal GHG emissions standards on cars and light trucks. In September 2011, the EPA and
the Department of Transportation finalized first-time standards for fuel economy of medium and heavy duty trucks. On August
28, 2012 the EPA and NHTSA adopted standards through model year 2025 in two phases. The first phase establishes final standards
for 2017-2021 model year vehicles that are projected to require 40.3 - 41.0 m.p.g. in model year 2021 on an average industry fleet-
wide basis. The second phase of the CAFE program represents non-final “augural” standards for 2022-2025 model year vehicles
that are projected to require 48.7 - 49.7 m.p.g. in model year 2025, on an average industry fleet-wide basis. Such increases in fuel
economy standards, along with mandated increases in use of renewable fuels discussed above, could result in decreasing demand
for petroleum fuels. Decreasing demand for petroleum fuels could have a material effect on our financial condition and results of
operation.
To successfully operate our petroleum refining facilities, we are required to expend significant amounts for capital outlays and
operating expenditures.
The refining business is characterized by high fixed costs resulting from the significant capital outlays associated with refineries,
terminals, pipelines and related facilities. We are dependent on the production and sale of quantities of refined products at refined
product margins sufficient to cover operating costs, including any increases in costs resulting from future inflationary pressures
or market conditions and increases in costs of fuel and power necessary in operating our facilities. Furthermore, future major
capital investment, various environmental compliance related projects, regulatory requirements or competitive pressures could
result in additional capital expenditures, which may not produce a return on investment. Such capital expenditures may require
significant financial resources that may be contingent on our access to capital markets and commercial bank loans. Additionally,
other matters, such as regulatory requirements or legal actions, may restrict our access to funds for capital expenditures.