IPAA lauds committee for bills regarding gas development on public lands

The Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) praised the House Committee on Natural Resources for easing regulations related to oil and natural gas development on public lands.

The committee met this week to mark up several bills seeking to alleviate federal permitting concerns.

“The suite of bills scheduled to be marked up on June 20 before the full Committee will provide much-needed certainty and assurances for our member companies and those who safely operate on public lands,” IPAA President and CEO Barry Russell wrote in a letter to committee leaders. “In recent years, it has become difficult for IPAA member companies to remain in business and continue operating on public lands as the federal regulatory process has become exceedingly cumbersome and costly.”

IPAA represents independent producers that develop 90 percent of America’s oil and natural gas wells.

“Eliminating bureaucratic and costly obstacles to safe and responsible oil and natural gas development will promote U.S. job growth, enhance American energy production, strengthen our national security, and increase revenues for federal, state, and tribal governments,” Russell said. “These federal dollars are vital for many western economies and are used to fund state and local priorities, such as public safety, education, and infrastructure projects like roads and bridges.”

IPAA testified before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee last year on the critical role independent oil and natural gas producers play in developing federal onshore resources.