The Consumer Energy Alliance announced its support of the States First Initiative – a state-led effort with programs aimed at facilitating multi-state collaboration and innovative regulatory solutions for oil and natural gas producing states.

The initiative, a partnership between the Interstate Oil & Gas Compact Commission and the Ground Water Protection Council, is committed to creating regulatory solutions and addressing emerging issues through innovative programs and state collaboration.

Supported by a bipartisan group of governors, with regulators and policy leaders from across the country, States First will provide a forum for multi-stakeholders, including the federal government, environmental organizations, citizens and industry, to become involved and have a voice in energy policy.

”Energy development and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive,” said David Holt, CEA president. “CEA continues to support the safe, environmentally responsible development of our abundant natural resources. We are all environmentalists who need clean air and clean water, and CEA commends our state regulators for upholding their duty to ensure energy development proceeds safely.”

States First is comprised of various programs that will display regulatory transparency, help regulatory agencies adapt to technological advances and continue to set the world standard in environmental regulation.

Whether it’s existing practices such as FracFocus or developing programs such as a National Oil and Gas Inspector Certification and State Oil and Gas Regulatory Exchange, the initiative will be at the forefront of continuous regulatory improvement as the states have been since the 1930s.

Read the CEA letter of supporthere.

CEA provides consumers with sound, unbiased information on U.S. and global energy issues. The organization’s affiliates comprise a range of sectors from the energy industry, academia, small businesses and conservation groups to travel-related industries.

States First launched itswebsiteand social media pages in an effort to educate the public about state oil and gas regulation and to provide updates on initiative supporting states and their programs. Visitors can watch governors and regulators speak about topics such as environmental protection, economic development, transparency and more through a series of online videos.