WASHINGTON, December 4, 2014 – API welcomed House passage of legislation to extend a successful pilot program at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) that allows field offices to more efficiently process applications for permits to develop oil and natural gas on federal lands.

“A more efficient permitting process is crucial to America’s all-of-the-above energy strategy,” said API Director of Upstream and Industry Operations Erik Milito. “This legislation will help to address well-documented regulatory delays that have held up energy production on federal lands and slowed the growth of jobs. It’s a great example of the kind of bipartisan effort that will be needed in the next Congress to ensure that America can continue to grow as an energy superpower.” 

Passed by the Senate in September, the BLM Permit Processing Improvement Act (S. 2440) was added to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and approved today by the House. The NDAA will now go to the Senate, which is expected to send it to the president’s desk.

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.