Tonight, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4315, the “21st Century Endangered Species Transparency Act,”to enhance transparency surrounding the data, models and science used by federal agencies to determine listing decisions under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This is a scored vote for the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA), which has been a continued supporter of the bill. IPAA’s President Barry Russell commended the passage of this important bill in the following statement:
“IPAA applauds the passage of H.R. 4315, an important step in strengthening the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and increasing transparency of the listing process. This commonsense legislation would help to ensure the ESA can fulfill its original purpose of conserving and recovering threatened and endangered species, while providing greater transparency to the public and the various stakeholder groups impacted by the litany of ESA litigation and listing decisions.
“Environmental stewardship and species conservation are a critical part of the operations of America’s independent producers – companies with an average of 12 employees who produce 54 percent of U.S. oil and 85 percent of U.S. natural gas. These men and women work diligently to provide the energy we all rely upon each day, while working with communities, local, state and federal regulators to ensure the continued protection of the environment and species alike. Yet as the United States continues to experience an energy revolution thanks to the hard work of these independent producers, the anti-development movement has abused the ESA to curtail economic progress in our resource-rich regions. IPAA applauds the passage of this important bill to enhance the ESA listing process, ensuring all decisions are the result of sound transparent science – not a political desire to shut down American energy production.
“Species conservation and energy development go hand in hand. Improving the ESA is a critical step in ensuring the continued protection of endangered and threatened species, while assuring the public that all listing decisions are made in a manner consistent with science and transparent data. We thank House Natural Resources Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-4) and the House of Representatives’ Endangered Species Act (ESA) Working Group for their continued efforts on this important issue.”
The bill passed by a vote of 233 to 190. The Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) urged a “Yes” vote on H.R. 4315 and will be scoring this vote for the 113th Congress. For more information on the ESA please visit IPAA’s website www.ESAwatch.org.