API Statement on Natural Gas and Oil Leasing on Federal Lands and Waters

WASHINGTON, January 21, 2021 – American Petroleum Institute President and CEO Mike Sommers issued the following statement today regarding the Department of Interior’s action impeding natural gas and oil development on federal lands and waters.

“Restricting development on federal lands and waters is nothing more than an ‘import more oil’ policy. Energy demand will continue to rise—especially as the economy recovers—and we can choose to produce that energy here in the United States or rely on foreign countries hostile to American interests. With this move, the administration is leading us toward more reliance on foreign energy from countries with lower environmental standards and risks to hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions in government revenue for education and conservation programs. We stand ready to engage with the Biden administration on ways to address America’s energy challenges, but impeding American energy will only serve to hurt local communities and hamper America’s economic recovery.”

Without access to energy development on federal lands and waters, API's recent analysis shows that U.S. energy supply would shift to foreign sources, cost nearly one million American jobs, increase CO₂ emissions and reduce revenue that funds education and key conservation programs.

API represents all segments of America’s natural gas and oil industry, which supports more than ten million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. Our 600 members produce, process and distribute the majority of the nation’s energy, and participate in API Energy Excellence, which is accelerating environmental and safety progress by fostering new technologies and transparent reporting. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization and has developed more than 700 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.

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