WASHINGTON – A group of eight oil and natural gas trade associations today highlighted their strong support for the bipartisan “Standardized Permitting and Expediting Development Act” (SPEED Act). In a letter, the group wrote that the bill introduced by House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) “makes many significant changes that would positively impact our members’ ability to produce energy in America.”
The coalition is comprised of the Energy Workforce & Technology Council, Independent Petroleum Association of America, , Gulf Energy Alliance, International Association of Drilling Contractors, National Ocean Industries Association, Texas Alliance of Energy Producers, U.S. Oil & Gas Association, and Western Energy Alliance. Combined, these groups represent over 80 percent of domestic oil and natural gas production in the United States.
The group’s letterdetails how the scope of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements and applications have grown since its enactment 50 years ago and the courts, Presidential directives, and agencies’ implementation of NEPA regulations have made NEPA unworkable and far more complicated than its original intent. The federal government’s “paper chase” hinders efforts to find innovative solutions to protect the environment, unlock investment and create jobs. The SPEED Act addresses many of the most pressing issues surrounding NEPA delays and will provide durable solutions to help expedite much needed infrastructure projects across the country.
Earlier in July the coalition called on lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives to “take swift action on permitting reform.” In a letter to Chairman Westerman ahead of an oversight hearing held by the Natural Resources Committee.
The following are statements from members of the coalition on support for the SPEED Act:
- Tim Tarpley, president of Energy Workforce & Technology Council: “The SPEED Act is a win for American energy and infrastructure. By cutting red tape, reducing frivolous lawsuits, and restoring common sense to NEPA, this bill ensures projects get built on time and on budget. Steps taken by the SPEED Act are especially critical for the energy services sector, where permitting delays stall job creation, investment, and innovation. Energy Workforce & Technology Council supports this legislation because it delivers the certainty needed to power our economy and keep America competitive.”
- Dan Naatz, COO and EVP of the Independent Petroleum Association of America: “American energy producers appreciate Chairman Westerman and Congressman Golden’s efforts to address delays the NEPA process has brought to building out much-needed energy infrastructure. The Independent Petroleum Association of America supports the SPEED Act – the legislation’s reforms to our nation’s permitting system provide a balanced effort of environmental stewardship and the timely decision making needed for economic investment.”
- Erik Milito, president of the National Ocean Industries Association: “We commend Representatives Westerman and Golden for their bipartisan leadership on the SPEED Act, a timely and serious step toward modernizing America’s permitting system. Offshore energy companies are ready to invest and innovate across oil and gas, wind, carbon capture, deep sea mining, and emerging technologies. But outdated, unpredictable permitting continues to delay progress and deter investment, especially in one of the most complex regulatory environments in the world. The SPEED Act lays a strong foundation for reform, recognizing that energy development and environmental stewardship go hand in hand. We look forward to working with Congress to strengthen the bill and deliver the reliable, durable permitting system our energy future requires.”
- Karr Ingham, Economist, president, Texas Alliance of Energy Producers: “The Alliance applauds Chairman Westerman’s leadership in this bipartisan effort to reduce barriers to energy production. The need is especially acute in Texas, where access to markets for Texas and U.S.-produced crude oil and natural gas is critical and has long been hampered by abuses in the permitting process. Additional pipeline and export capacity, including new LNG export facilities, is required to support the extraordinary growth in production accomplished by the U.S. domestic oil and gas industry. Furthermore, moving products to domestic and global markets more quickly meets growing energy needs at home and abroad, meets those needs in much cleaner fashion compared to non-U.S. production, and reduces the need to flare natural gas. Enactment of the SPEED Act will go a very long way toward enhancing development of cost effective projects that will expand delivery of high quality energy in Texas, the US, and around the world.”
- Tim Stewart, president of the U.S. Oil & Gas Association: “It’s not a lack of interest or capital, knowhow or need holding American industry back, it is an artificial legal and regulatory morass which has been built up over decades. Federal agencies now prioritize process over outcome. The SPEED Act cuts through all that. If America wants to start building things again, we need to do this.”
- Melissa Simpson, president of Western Energy Alliance: “The Alliance has been in court for a decade now defending oil and natural gas producers targeted by activist groups who use perceived NEPA deficiencies to halt federal leasing. It shouldn’t take that long to work through what the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously agreed is a procedural requirement, not a roadblock, to inform federal agencies and the public. We appreciate Chairman Westerman for prioritizing reasonable limits to judicial reviews on NEPA and courtroom obstructionism in the SPEED Act.”
The full letter to Chairman Westerman supporting the SPEED Act is available here
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About Energy Workforce & Technology Council:
Energy Workforce & Technology Council is the national trade association for the global energy technology and services sector, representing more than 650,000 U.S. jobs in the technology-driven energy value chain. Energy Workforce works to advance member policy priorities and empower the energy workforce of the future.
About Gulf Energy Alliance:
The Gulf Energy Alliance (GEA) is a coalition of leading independent producers and allied organizations supporting policies and regulations that encourage sustainable investment, innovation, and job creation in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM).
About the Independent Petroleum Association of America
The Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) is a national upstream trade association representing thousands of independent oil and natural gas producers and service companies across the United States. Independent producers develop 91 percent of the nation’s oil and natural gas wells. These companies account for 83 percent of America’s oil production, 90 percent of its natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGL) production, and support over 4.5 million American jobs. Learn more about IPAA by visiting www.ipaa.org and following @IPAAaccess on X.
About the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC):
The International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) is dedicated to promoting innovative technology and safe drilling practices that bring oil and gas to the world’s consumers. For 80 years, IADC has championed the drilling industry through training programs, guidelines, publications, committees, conferences, and advocacy for the global drilling industry.
About the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA)
The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) represents and advances a dynamic and growing offshore energy industry, providing solutions that support communities and protect our workers, the public and our environment.
About Texas Alliance of Energy Producers
The Texas Alliance of Energy Producers is the largest and most effective statewide oil and gas association for independents in the nation. Serving nearly 3,000 members, the Alliance provides a voice for sound U.S. energy policy. These individuals and organizations—from small players to publicly traded companies—are the driving force behind the U.S. energy renaissance. Founded in 1930, the Alliance has offices in Wichita Falls and Austin, Texas. For more information, visit https://www.texasalliance.org.
About the U.S. Oil & Gas Association
The mission of US Oil & Gas Association (USOGA) is to promote national public policy that supports exploration and production for the domestic oil and natural gas industry. USOGA is unique among oil & gas associations. Formed in October 1917, USOGA has been the industry’s successful advocate in Washington, D.C. and in State Capitols for over 100 years. To learn more, visit https://usoga.org
About Western Energy Alliance
Working with a vibrant membership base of independent oil and natural gas companies for over 50 years, Western Energy Alliance stands as a credible leader, advocate, and champion of industry in the West. Our expert staff, active committees, and committed board members form a collaborative and welcoming community of professionals dedicated to abundant, affordable energy and a high quality of life for all. Learn more at www.westernenergyalliance.org.
Karina Erickson, Communications Director, writes about governmental policies for the Energy Workforce & Technology Council. Click here to subscribe to the Energy Workforce newsletter, which highlights sector-specific issues, best practices, activities and more.
