Abstract

This submission will present information about the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC). It was created by Congress in 1935 to function as the conservation voice of petroleum producing states. Governors were concerned then about federal regulation of exploration and production — functions they believed were best handled in each state.

States in 1935 were the leading environmental protectors, and remain so today. Domestic petroleum exploration and production was the earliest industry of state environmental regulation and remains one of the most extensively regulated today.

Through the IOGCC, states come together and develop model laws and regulations, study issues and create guidance documents. The IOGCC is unique as a government organization because it included industry representatives on its committees from the beginning. Rather than the heavy hand of government dictating to industry, the states worked cooperatively with industry to fashion better solutions.

IOGCC model regulations have been copied throughout the world, and the work of the organization continues to evolve. The states often find themselves working to educate branches of the federal government about oil and gas issues. The IOGCC also advocates for sound national energy policy and its Governors continue to lead national discussions on issues important to the domestic industry.