May 9, 2013 U.S. Oil, Gas Producers Applaud Creation of Endangered Species Act Working Group
WASHINGTON, DC – IPAA President & CEO Barry Russell released the following statement in response to the creation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) Working Group.
“IPAA applauds the creation of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Endangered Species Act (ESA) Working Group. We thank House Natural Resources Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-4) and Western Caucus Co-Chair Cynthia Lummis (WY-AL) for taking leadership on this important issue.
“The current application of the ESA could impair our nation’s energy and economic progress. The myriad of species proposed as endangered – from all over the country – is creating enormous uncertainty for America’s independent oil and natural gas producers and threatening the job creation that is giving hope to communities.
“America’s oil and natural gas industry recognizes that energy development must go hand in hand with environmental conservation. Producers have been working with regulators and environmental groups on the state level to protect vulnerable species and minimize impacts to species’ habitats. Right now, in its current form, the ESA’s regulatory implementation actually threatens these conservation efforts already in place.
“IPAA is hopeful that the House ESA Working Group can address these concerns and provide the oversight necessary to rein in the ESA back to its original intent. IPAA looks forward to working with the members of the Working Group to share the concerns of America’s independent producers.”
For more information, visit IPAA’s Endangered Species Watch website at www.esawatch.org.
