API Statement on Interior’s Proposed Rule for Oil and Gas Leasing on Federal Lands

WASHINGTON, July 20, 2023 — The American Petroleum Institute (API) released the following statement today from Vice President of Upstream Policy Holly Hopkins on the U.S. Department of the Interior’s proposed rule regarding oil and gas leasing on federal lands.

“Responsible development of federal lands is critical for meeting the growing demand for affordable, reliable energy while reducing emissions. Amidst a global energy crisis, this action from the Department of the Interior is yet another attempt to add even more barriers to future energy production, increases uncertainty for producers and may further discourage oil and natural gas investment. This is a concerning approach from an administration that has repeatedly acted to restrict essential energy development.”

Interior’s proposal comes on the back of new polling data from Morning Consult that found that more than 8 in 10 voters (88%) believe it is important to produce natural gas and oil here in the U.S. and 90% believe it will help strengthen the American economy.

API represents all segments of America’s natural gas and oil industry, which supports nearly 11 million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. Our approximately 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 800 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.

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