API applauds admin action to rescind harmful WOTUS rule, promote U.S. jobs

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 27, 2017 – API applauded today’s actions by the Trump administration to rescind the 2015 Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule.

“Today’s action by the administration will help spur U.S. job creation by providing the regulatory certainty needed to encourage investment and advance America’s energy leadership,” said API Upstream and Industry Operations Group Director Erik Milito. “This rule would have imposed burdensome and costly regulations, and stifled energy production with little to no environmental benefit.

“API member companies are committed to protecting the environment, but this rule represented a broad and unwarranted expansion of the federal government, especially when the Clean Water Act already prohibits discharges of pollutants that ultimately flow into navigable waters.

“We applaud the administration’s actions to rescind this harmful rule and to recognize that our industry is part of the solution in helping create American jobs, boost the economy, and protect the environment. We look forward to working with the administration on forward-looking policies that eliminate regulatory uncertainty for businesses.”

The attempt to change the statutory definition of “waters of the United States” also represents a broad and unwarranted expansion of federal jurisdiction inconsistent with Supreme Court precedent, according to API.

API is the only national trade association representing all facets of the oil and natural gas industry, which supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy. API’s more than 625 members include large integrated companies, as well as exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms. Our members provide most of the nation’s energy and are backed by a growing grassroots movement of more than 40 million Americans.

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