Testimony

IPAA Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Political Affairs Dan Naatz testified at a legislative hearing before the U.S. House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources on the important role U.S. independent producers play in the safe and responsible development of onshore oil and natural gas to grow America’s economy, create well-paying jobs, and strengthen the nation’s energy security.

Small businesses are a key part of the industry because oil and natural gas wells naturally deplete over time. Correspondingly, the industry is a “food chain” industry. As large companies want more capital, they sell their lower producing properties to smaller companies that are the primary owners of marginal wells. While many EPA regulations can impact small businesses, these oral comments will address some recent air and waste water regulations. IPAA’s written comments include other regulations.

API and IPAA provide this statement regarding Bureau of Land Management (BLM) management of public lands, in particular BLM’s proposed rule entitled “Resource Management Planning,” 81 Fed. Reg. 9673 (Feb. 25, 2016) (the “Proposed Planning Rule”). Many of API’s and IPAA’s member companies have a direct interest in how BLM plans to manage public lands. These companies hold valid existing leases and are interested in future oil and natural gas leasing, exploration, and production activities in areas that will be directly affected by BLM’s management decisions. These companies are also dedicated to meeting environmental requirements, while economically developing and supplying affordable energy to consumers. Issues raised by the Proposed Planning Rule will have a direct impact on the future viability of oil and natural gas development on public lands throughout the United States.

IPAA submitted testimony for the record in support of S. 1312, the “Energy Supply and Distribution Act of 2015,” before the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing on “Energy Accountability and Reform Legislation.”

IPAA submitted testimony for the record in support of S. 2440, the “BLM Permit Processing Improvement Act of 2014” at the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources oversight hearing on “Breaking the Logjam at BLM: Examining Ways to More Efficiently Process Permits for Energy Production on Federal Lands.”

The Waters Advocacy Coalition, of which IPAA is a member, submitted a statement for the record outlining its concerns on the proposed “Waters of the United States” rule before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment hearing on the rule.

Testimony Of Dan Naatz, Vice President of Federal Resources & Regulatory Affairs for the Independent Petroleum Association of America to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans & Insular Affairs Oversight Hearing on “Oil and Gas Activities Within the Nation’s Wildlife Refuge System.”

Representing IPAA, David Quast, California Director for Energy in Depth, testified before a House Committee on Natural Resources oversight hearing on “Energy Independence: Domestic Opportunities to Reverse California’s Growing Dependence on Foreign Oil.”