June 3, 2026
Washington, D.C. – The American Exploration & Production Council (AXPC) today praised the House for passing the License to Drill Act, sponsored by Rep. Mike Kennedy (R-UT). The bill reauthorizes the Permit Processing Improvement Fund, an essential program that collects fees on Applications for Permits to Drill (APDs) on federal lands and uses the proceeds to fund permitting processing by Bureau of Land Management (BLM) field staff.
The vote follows a record-setting $4 billion BLM lease sale in New Mexico and Texas, which demonstrated restored confidence in federal lands management and the pivotal role of developing federally owned minerals to secure energy affordability.
Anne Bradbury, AXPC CEO, said:
AXPC welcomes House passage of the License to Drill Act and commends Rep. Mike Kennedy and the House Natural Resources Committee for moving this legislation forward. At a time when investment in federal lands is reaching historic levels, ensuring BLM has the resources needed to process permits efficiently is critical to securing energy affordability. This bill strengthens permitting certainty, supports American energy production, and helps ensure taxpayers fully realize the economic benefits of responsible development on federal lands. We encourage the Senate to act quickly to pass this critical legislation.
About AXPC:
The American Exploration & Production Council is a national trade association representing the leading independent oil and natural gas exploration and production companies in the United States. AXPC companies are committed to safety, stewardship, and innovation to deliver reliable, affordable energy to American consumers. More information about AXPC can be found at axpc.org.
