EDITH NAEGELE, President and CEO, Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA)
Community is in decline. From disappearing bowling leagues and the decline of the family meal to surveys documenting our growing isolation, human connection continues to wane. We’ve heard about it for decades. Maybe we just need to think about community differently.
Community transforms everyday environments into spaces of connection, trust and support. Neighbors create a sense of belonging by looking out for one another and offering kindness in both ordinary moments and times of need. Colleagues, who collaborate, build shared purpose, making work meaningful rather than isolating. These relationships remind people they are part of something larger than themselves. Community doesn’t just make life more enjoyable; it makes the world work better.
Commitment to community. In my first six months at IPAA, I’ve witnessed how local oil and gas producers embody this commitment to community daily. When producers are locally based, the economic benefits circulate through the region: well-paying jobs, contracts with local suppliers, and tax revenue that funds schools and infrastructure. This isn’t some abstract economic theory; its neighbors investing in neighbors.
The impact goes beyond economics. Local producers build relationships with residents, prioritize responsible operations, and address concerns directly. Through environmental stewardship and community engagement, they earn trust the old-fashioned way. Many support local programs, schools, and emergency services, reinforcing their roles, not just as energy providers but as dedicated community members.
Fig. 1. Percentage depletion is one of the key items that IPAA helped to protect in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which passed during 2025. Image: Illinois Oil & Gas Association.
IPAA recently launched Payzone Profiles—an opportunity to spotlight our members’ work in the community. Through this initiative, we highlight human stories of giving back to our local communities. Whether organizing toy drives around the holidays, serving on the board of an addiction and recovery center or mentoring the next generation of oilfield workers—our members exemplify the spirit of giving back.
Winning for independent producers. Our organization exists to be the independent producers’ voice in Washington. In 2025, IPAA achieved significant wins for producers within the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The legislation that was enacted into law by President Trump delayed the implementation of the methane tax for 10 years and removed the possibility of backpay under future administrations. The bill also enacts important reforms for onshore and offshore federal lands and requires predictable lease sales in these areas. The OBBBA also delivered sound tax policy in several areas important to American oil and gas producers. IPAA successfully advocated for the bill, leaving percentage depletion (Fig. 1), intangible drilling costs, and other mainstays of the energy portion of the tax code unchanged.
The momentum in Washington continues under President Trump’s energy dominance agenda, yet key initiatives for our industry, like the prospect of permitting reform continue to face strong headwinds. IPAA has long advocated for meaningful changes to the federal permitting process, including changes to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which requires acts of Congress to be updated. Streamlining approvals and other parts of the permitting process will help unlock investment and ensure the continued development of reliable, affordable American oil and natural gas production.
Environmental revisions. This year also offers the opportunity to resolve the decades-long efforts to create federal and state regulations targeting oil and natural gas production operations under the Clean Air Act. The recent repeal of the Endangerment Finding could have major implications, as the Trump administration takes action to address overreaching vehicle emission standards.
IPAA supports the Trump administration in its efforts to reform the regulations governing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We believe the administration properly concluded that the Clean Air Act does not provide EPA with the authority to regulate certain GHG emissions. We urge the EPA to ensure that the rules and regulations governing stationary sources are clear and durable for producers. Regulatory initiatives including the 2012 Subpart OOOO New Source Performance Standards, are now in the final stages of reconsideration for both additional new source requirements and emissions guidelines for existing sources.
A pivotal issue will be whether EPA recrafts its emissions guidelines applying to low-production wells. The current guidelines could result in 300,000 existing small wells being shut down. IPAA is advocating for EPA to revise its guidelines to provide a regulatory framework that can cost-effectively manage these small well emissions. This would reduce emissions but allow continuing operation of America’s broad spectrum of oil and natural gas well sites.
And 2026 could also be the year when the issue of the scope of regulation under the Clean Water Act is resolved. IPAA continues to track changes to Waters of the United States (WOTUS) regulations and participate in the regulatory process through membership in the Waters Advocacy Coalition, a broad group that crosses many affected industries. A recent Supreme Court decision clarified that regulation of WOTUS must be closely linked to navigable waters. Implementation of revised federal regulations to reflect the Supreme Court determination is underway and can settle decades of confusion over which properties must get a federal permit.
Fig. 2. IPAA will represent offshore independents throughout the two remaining periods of analysis for the five-year OCS leasing plan. Image: Talos Energy.
IPAA is proud to represent a significant number of businesses that produce on federal lands and waters. One issue that was not addressed in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act for these producers is the Biden administration’s Fluid Mineral Leases and Leasing Process Rule that restructured bonding requirements for wells drilled on federal lands. The rule increased bond amounts by 15x for a single well ($10,000 to $150,000), 20x for a statewide bond ($25,000 to $500,000) and eliminated the use of nationwide bonds altogether, which becomes a problem for cross-state basins.
Offshore policy. Independent oil and gas producers commended the Trump administration on its robust first iteration of the national Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas leasing program (Five Year Plan) in late 2025 and submitted comments on the plan in January, Fig. 2. There are two remaining periods of analysis for the plan before it would reach final draft and approval stage—IPAA will be engaged, representing offshore independents throughout the process.
IPAA also awaits the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s review of the Biden final rule on offshore financial assurance. IPAA and allied trade groups sued the Biden administration on the final rule; however, all parties asked for a stay in further legal proceedings until after the Trump administration’s review. During the review period, Trump officials gave assurances that they would not enforce the phased-in requirements for additional bonding.
IPAA is hopeful for some meaningful reforms from the Trump administration and Congress on the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The ESA has stymied oil and gas operations, due to bureaucratic red tape and policies that do not necessarily improve the habitat or life of species, or local communities.
These are just a few of the many issue areas that IPAA is addressing in Washington on behalf of the upstream industry.
Creating an industry sense of community. Industries, like individuals, need community too. That’s where your trade associations come in. IPAA and similar organizations create space for collaboration over competition, allowing members to share knowledge, advocate collectively, and learn from one another. Beyond networking and professional development, these associations reinforce identity and belonging within a profession. They preserve best practices and amplify a collective voice that benefits members and the communities they serve.
In a world that constantly reminds us that people are drifting farther apart, I find hope in what I see in our independent industry every day. The bonds among local oil and gas producers—and our shared commitment to the places we call home—remain our greatest asset. Whether in small towns anchored by production facilities or industry hubs connecting professionals across regions, these networks have always been about more than energy. They’re about people solving complex problems together, lifting each other up, and building something that lasts. The challenges ahead are real, but the values of mutual respect, integrity and connection that define this industry will carry us forward.
EDITH NAEGELE is President and CEO of the Independent Petroleum Association of America. Prior to joining IPAA, she served as Vice President, Membership and Strategic Development, of the American Gas Association (AGA). The AGA represents more than 200 local energy companies committed to the safe and reliable delivery of natural gas to more than 79 million customers throughout the nation. Under Ms. Naegele’s leadership, AGA greatly expanded its outreach to the financial community and helped position gas utilities in global markets with investors. Reflecting her dedication to business, jobs, and innovation, she worked for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce defending business in Washington and in the states and in the court of public opinion for nearly 20 years. Ms. Naegele holds an MA degree from The George Washington University’s Elliot School of International Affairs, and a BA degree from the University of Oregon.
Related Articles
FROM THE ARCHIVE
