WASHINGTON – The American Exploration and Production Council congratulated Deb Haaland on her historic confirmation as the first Native American to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

“We want to congratulate Secretary Haaland for her historic confirmation to lead the Interior Department and urge her to follow through on her expressed commitment to bipartisanship and recognition of the important role of oil and gas for our country during her confirmation hearing. We look forward to cooperatively working with her Department.

“Oil and gas exploration and production activities on federal lands contribute billions of dollars to federal and state governments, support millions of good paying jobs and local economies, and are conducted under some of the most stringent safety and environmental regulations in the world.  The American people receive numerous benefits from oil and gas production on our federal lands – including revenue and tax benefits throughout every stage of oil and gas development, affordable and reliable energy, and the national security benefit of not having to rely on energy or mineral sources from unstable or unfriendly nations.  We want to work with Secretary Haaland and the Biden Administration to ensure that American energy is driving the American economic recovery,” said AXPC CEO Anne Bradbury.

During her Senate confirmation Hearing, Congresswoman Deb Haaland expressed a commitment to working cooperatively with and listening to all constituents and stakeholders, including the fossil fuel community.  In her opening statement before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, she stated:

• • “There’s no question that fossil energy does and will continue to play a major role in America for years to come. I know how important oil and gas revenues are to fund critical services.”
  • “Together we can work to position our nation and all its people for success in the future, and I am committed to working cooperatively with all stakeholders, and all of Congress, to strike the right balance going forward.”

She also recognized the Great American Outdoors Act, which is the largest public lands consideration bill signed into law in 50 years and is exclusively funded by revenue from federal oil and natural gas. Notably, the Great American Outdoors Act included:

• • The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Permanent Funding Act to fully and permanently fund public lands conservation nationwide – which provides $900 million annually into the LCWF, providing critical conservation without the need for appropriations from Congress.
  • The National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund, which creates a new fund for national park and public lands restoration of up to $1.9 billion annually for five years ($9.5 billion total) from onshore energy revenues including oil and natural gas, coal, and renewables. Revenues from this fund go to the National Park Service, the United States Forest Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and to Bureau of Indian Education schools.

“Oil and natural gas development on federal lands contributes billions of dollars that goes directly to conservation efforts, as well as states’ ability to provide education and other public services to their citizens,” said Bradbury.

About the American Exploration and Production Council:
AXPC is a national trade association representing the largest independent oil and natural gas exploration and production companies in the United States. We lead the world in the cleanest and safest onshore production of oil and gas, while supporting millions of Americans in high-paying jobs and investing a wealth of resources in our communities. Learn more at https://axpc.org/

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