WASHINGTON, September 17, 2013 – API welcomed Senate passage of legislation, S. 2440, to extend a successful pilot program at 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.

“Reauthorization of the pilot program is an important step towards addressing well-documented permitting delays that have held up energy production and slowed the growth of jobs on federal lands, “ said API Upstream Group Director Erik Milito. “Addressing these issues will help to ensure that the U.S. economy can benefit from the bounty of resources on federal lands, supporting continued job growth, increasing government revenues, and building America’s strength as an energy superpower.”

Milito applauded Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) on their bipartisan efforts to secure passage of the legislation and urged House leaders to quickly 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 600 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 20 million Americans.