API Calls on Administration to Lift Federal Leasing Pause

WASHINGTON, June 15, 2021 – Today, the American Petroleum Institute issued the following statement urging the Biden administration to lift the pause on new oil and gas leases on federal lands and waters in response to the federal judge ruling to resume new federal leasing.

“The federal leasing pause is harmful to our nation’s national security, environmental progress and economic recovery,” API Vice President of Upstream Policy Kevin O’Scannlain said. “We are pleased to see the court ruling that natural gas and oil leasing must resume on federal lands and waters, and we urge the administration to move expeditiously to follow the court’s order and lift the federal leasing pause. Now is the time for the administration to put an end to this ‘import more oil’ policy that threatens American jobs and deprives state and local communities of much-needed revenue, all while likely increasing emissions and the risks of climate change.”

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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