WASHINGTON, December 8, 2016 – API President and CEO Jack Gerard released the following statement on President-elect Donald J. Trump’s nomination of Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to serve as the next administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“Mr. Pruitt’s work as Oklahoma’s Attorney General shows that he understands how important America’s oil and natural gas industry is to our nation and to our economy,” said API President and CEO Jack Gerard. “Under the current administration, our industry is facing a barrage of 145 regulations that would unnecessarily destroy jobs and add costs to consumers. 

“Pruitt has a track record of dispelling the false idea that energy development and environmental stewardship cannot go hand in hand. Moving forward, we must have smart, common sense regulations that protect the environment and do not raise prices on Americans.

“We look forward to working with Mr. Pruitt, the new administration, and the new Congress on policies that will keep energy affordable, create jobs, and strengthen our economy as we lead the world in the production of oil and natural gas and reducing carbon emissions.”

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 30 million Americans.

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