Governor Gordon Addresses Regulation of Energy Industry at National Oil and Gas Commission

Governor Mark Gordon concluded his two year Chairmanship of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC) with an address to membership at their annual meeting in Colorado Springs, Colo. on October 29.

He spoke about many of the onerous regulations, particularly those emanating from Washington, DC, and that they are not necessarily informed by local conditions, and are seemingly driven more by politics than the prudent regulation of the industry. He also pointed out the IOGCC provides a forum for honest discussion of energy issues and regulations, as well as the true cost of those regulations. That dialogue can lead to responsible regulatory reform, the Governor said.

Governor Gordon noted that the oil and gas industry has always been more than just oil and gas. It not only provides reliable and reasonably priced energy, but it supports families and communities. In addition, industry provides important contributions to biological and environmental research in Wyoming, including work on sage-grouse, as well as deer and antelope migration.

The Governor also commented on the plugging and reclamation of abandoned wells, noting the ongoing shared leadership of Wyoming, the Wyoming Oil and Gas Commission and the IOGCC in that effort. He also emphasized that Wyoming was right to turn back federal dollars in the face of regulatory burdens and costs that clearly outweigh the dollars received, particularly when that purported issue is already addressed in state regulation and policy.

During his two-year term, the Governor supported re-establishment of a working group agreement with EPA that had lapsed for years. The agreement empowers the IOGCC to work with EPA in an effort to make regulations more practical and efficient.

“It's a work in progress, but it has to begin with a conversation,” the Governor said, “And we have made progress.”

Another milestone during Governor Gordon’s term was initiating work with Native American tribes to assist with the development, production and reclamation of oil and gas on tribal lands.

The IOGCC is a multi-state government agency chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1935. It includes 38 member states and serves as the states’ collective voice on oil and gas issues, as well as advocating for state leadership in governing oil and gas resources. The Commission works with states, Congress and the environmental community to gather information and viewpoints to assist with developing sound regulatory practices.

Governor Gordon handed over the reins of the Chairmanship of the IOGCC to Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy.