PIOGA Statement

Regulatory Certainty

REGULATORY CERTAINTY/CONSISTENCY AMONG AGENCIES ESSENTIAL TO ENERGY PRODUCTION

Wexford, PA (Mar. 17) – Pennsylvania Independent Oil & Gas Association President & Executive Director Daniel J. Weaver today issued the following statement regarding the direction of current and potential regulatory changes related to oil and natural gas production at the state and federal levels:

“The regulatory rollbacks announced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in recent days are a great step in a new direction to incentivize energy production along with continued environmental safeguarding. PIOGA commends the federal administration for its efforts to reform and streamline these rules and regulations. However, we fear at a state and local level, similar programs will not be a reality. Pennsylvania needs a balanced approach between federal and state government, and from administration to administration, that supports the Commonwealth’s oil and natural gas producers and downstream businesses.

The calls for new investment in electric generating capacity to meet increasing demand have grown in recent months, nearing a crisis point. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has estimated demand will grow by 80 percent during the next five years, and recently PJM Interconnect filed two proposals with FERC to expedite supply growth in the 13-state region. Reduced energy availability caused by overbearing regulatory schemes will harm all Americans, making life more costly and even dangerous.

Balanced regulations ensure the use of the best available technologies to manage environmental resources and protect public health. Regulatory schemes that play to the extremes create power struggles that will not foster predictable investments essential to support energy production. PIOGA will continue to work with local, state, and federal officials to ensure a continued return to sensible energy regulation and policy.”