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API casts spotlight on duplicative BLM rule


Zachary Cikanek | CikanekZ@api.org | 202.682.8114


WASHINGTON, April 30, 2015 – Senators reviewing new Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rules on hydraulic fracturing at a hearing today should demand answers on the shrinking role of federal lands in America’s energy revolution, said API.
  
“The revolution in U.S. oil and gas production powered our economy through a recession, but federal policies have kept that growth isolated to state and private lands,” said API Director of Upstream and Industry Operations Erik Milito. “The federal share of total U.S. crude oil production fell from 36 to 21 percent between 2010 and 2014, while the federal share of natural gas production declined from 23 to 13 percent, according to a new report from the non-partisan Congressional Research Service.
 
“States with large areas controlled by the BLM are especially hard hit by duplicative federal regulations, slow permitting, and limited access to public lands. New BLM rules could impose more costs and delays on energy development without improving on existing state and federal regulations, stunting growth and pushing away jobs in places like New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming.
 
“Under the strong environmental stewardship of state regulators, natural gas unlocked by horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing has helped cut U.S. carbon emissions to a nearly 20-year low. The BLM should be working with the states – not against them – to encourage investment on federal lands, create jobs, and promote America’s energy security.”
    
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. They provide most of the nation’s energy and are backed by a growing grassroots movement of more than 25 million Americans.
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