Bill Bush | 202-682-8069 | bushw@api.org
WASHINGTON, February 4, 2009 – The American Petroleum Institute issued the following statement today from its President Jack Gerard regarding the Department of Interior’s decision to cancel leases on 77 parcels of land in Utah:
“We hope today’s decision does not signal the administration is returning to the failed policies of the past, leaving much of America’s vast energy resources locked up while the nation’s demand for energy continues to grow.
The decision runs counter to President Barack Obama’s stated goal of reducing U.S. reliance on foreign energy sources and is at odds with the judgment of most Americans that the nation should develop more of its own oil and natural gas. With U.S. domestic oil production declining, we need to develop more and keep more jobs and economic activity in this country. Development would be good for consumers and for the nation’s energy security. With current technology and industry practices, our companies are able to develop vital energy resources while protecting the environment. The leases in question involve non-park, non-wilderness lands.”