The Petroleum Alliance of Oklahoma today applauded Gov. Kevin Stitt’s quick action to protect Oklahoma’s water, air and lands by triggering a federal law ensuring that state regulatory agencies have primacy in Indian country.

In response to a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Stitt officially requested that the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) activate an Oklahoma-specific provision in the 2005 federal highway bill to give state agencies primacy on environmental regulations in Indian country.

“Governor Stitt delivered for all Oklahomans regardless of whether they are tribal members or non- Indians,” said Alliance President Brook A. Simmons. “He acted to make sure trusted and experienced state agencies like the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality; Oklahoma Corporation Commission; Oklahoma Water Resources Board; and Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry can continue to enforce regulations delegated to the state by EPA in Indian country.”

“This action was absolutely critical to provide regulatory certainty for businesses, farmers, ranchers, landowners and every state resident in the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in McGirt v. Oklahoma. We applaud Governor Stitt and his team, including Secretary of Energy & Environment Kenneth Wagner, for their leadership and decisive action.”

Read Stitt’s letter here.