In December 2013, twelve governors signed a letter addressed to American energy policy leaders announcing their support of the States First Initiative. "The states’ ability to design effective regulations that reflect state-specific needs is a vital element in the resurgence of our nation’s oil and natural gas industry," the letter stated. "We are proud of the job that state regulatory agencies are doing and want you to be aware of a new initiative, States First, that states are undertaking to continue their worldwide leadership as the laboratories of effective regulatory development."

Today state oil and natural gas regulators are actively involved in States First programs, working together to ensure America's energy future is bright.