IPAA backs Steve Pearce confirmation as BLM director
(WO) — The U.S. Senate has confirmed former Congressman Steve Pearce as director of the Bureau of Land Management, a move welcomed by upstream industry groups seeking expanded access to federal lands and more efficient permitting processes.
The Independent Petroleum Association of America said Pearce’s appointment could help restore what it described as the agency’s “multiple use mandate” tied to energy development, grazing, recreation and conservation activities on federally managed lands.
“IPAA congratulates Congressman Steve Pearce on his confirmation as Director of the Bureau of Land Management,” said Dan Naatz, IPAA executive vice president and chief policy officer.
“It’s important that the head of the BLM understand the multiple use mandate for federal lands management as enshrined in law,” Naatz said. “With Director Pearce in place, BLM can now move toward operating at its highest capacity and carrying out its vital mission.”
Pearce previously represented New Mexico in Congress and has long supported expanded domestic oil and gas development, including leasing and permitting activity across federal acreage in the Permian basin and broader Western U.S.
The confirmation comes as the Trump administration continues advancing policies aimed at increasing domestic energy production and accelerating federal leasing activity for oil and gas development.
BLM oversees roughly 245 million acres of public land and plays a central role in federal drilling permits, lease sales, pipeline rights-of-way and energy infrastructure approvals.
