IADC Praises Selection of Congressman Ryan Zinke to Lead Department of Interior

Houston, Texas (13 December 2016) – Today, President-elect Donald Trump announced the selection of Congressman Ryan Zinke as the Secretary of the Department of Interior (DOI). As Secretary, Rep. Zinke will have control over federal lands and will regulate offshore energy development.

In response, International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) President Jason McFarland issued the following statement:

“As a Member of Congress representing Montana, Rep. Zinke has a unique understanding of the importance of public lands, and in his appointed position, he will have control over federal lands and will regulate offshore energy development. In the last several years, overzealous oil and gas regulations have created an uncertain regulatory framework that stifled investment and innovation in an industry that has a significant impact on the U.S. economy. In fact, annual issuance of oil and gas leases on federal lands declined 65% between 2008-2015. The oil and gas industry is responsible for injecting billions of dollars into the economy, along with directly contributing to job growth in both the energy and manufacturing industries. Just as importantly, the Energy Information Association is projecting that 2016 energy-related carbon dioxide emissions will be at their lowest levels in 24 years, a direct result of utilizing the abundance of U.S. natural gas. IADC and its members hope to work with Rep. Zinke on efforts to restore access to federal lands for responsible oil and gas development. The benefits of oil and gas exploration and development are vast, and continuing them will require a commitment by federal, state and local governments to work with industry, not against it.”

“Advancing U.S. energy should be at the forefront of the new administration’s energy policy, and IADC and its members look forward to the opportunity to work with Rep. Zinke on initiatives that will continue to enable the U.S. to be an energy powerhouse.”

About IADC

Since 1940, the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) has exclusively represented the worldwide oil and gas drilling industry. IADC’s mission is to catalyze improved performance for the drilling industry by enhancing operational integrity and championing better regulation to facilitate safer, cleaner and more efficient drilling operations worldwide. For more information, visit the IADC website at www.iadc.org.