WASHINGTON, December 12, 2014 – API welcomed final passage in the U.S. Senate 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.

“Without a robust and efficient permitting system, energy development on federal lands will continue to face well-documented delays, putting jobs and economic growth on hold,” said API Director of Upstream and Industry Operations Erik Milito. “This bipartisan reauthorization will help to ensure that the U.S. economy can benefit from the bounty of resources on federal lands, supporting continued job growth and adding momentum to the U.S. energy revolution.”

Milito also commended congressional leaders, including Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), on their bipartisan efforts to secure passage of the BLM Permit Processing Improvement Act (S. 2440) as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill was previously approved by the House, and will now go to the president, who is expected to sign it into law.

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.