Reid Porter | 202.682.8114 | porterr@api.org

WASHINGTON, June 22, 2011—Today API welcomed passage of bipartisan legislation introduced by Representatives Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) and Gene Green (D-Tex.) that would reduce uncertainty in the Environmental Protection Agency’s air permitting process for exploration drilling in all regions of the Outer Continental Shelf except for the western and central Gulf of Mexico, which are permitted through the Department of the Interior:

“Streamlining the EPA air permit process is a necessary step for removing roadblocks to developing America’s energy resources,” said API Executive Vice President Marty Durbin. “This legislation will also establish an efficient system for future leasing of frontier areas in the Outer Continental Shelf.”

API has been working with Congress and EPA to better address uncertainty and confusion under the Clean Air Act. This legislation makes clear the intent of the 1990 Clean Air Act amendments governing air permits for exploration projects in frontier areas of the OCS and adds procedural safeguards to ensure a more predictable permit process for new American oil and natural gas supplies.

“We cannot leave exploration and production of critically needed resources in a perpetual state of limbo,” said Durbin. “Development of new offshore energy resources will strengthen American energy security, provide jobs, assist economic growth, and increase revenues to the federal treasury.”

API thanked U.S. Reps. Cory Gardner, Gene Green, Fred Upton and others for leading the way on helping the United States become more self-sufficient in providing the energy America relies on.

API urged the Senate to follow suit and welcomed Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s companion bill that is pending consideration.

API represents more than 470 oil and natural gas companies, leaders of a technology-driven industry that supplies most of America’s energy, supports 9.2 million U.S. jobs and 7.7 percent of the U.S. economy, delivers more than $86 million in revenue to our government every day, and, since 2000, has invested over $2 trillion in U.S. capital projects to advance all forms of energy, including alternatives.