03.11.14

Hoeven Issues Call to Action: "Let's Build a Comprehensive, All-of-the-Above, National Energy Plan"

Legislation he and other members have offered empower states to leverage their strengths and make America a true energy powerhouse

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today delivered a powerful call for action on the floor of the U.S. Senate to build a comprehensive, all-of-the-above national energy plan. He cited legislation he and other members have offered that empowers states to leverage their strengths and make America a true energy powerhouse. To seal the case, Hoeven cited recent events in Ukraine that underscore the important role energy plays in national security, at home and abroad.

“Instead of talking about energy policy here on the senate floor, let’s do it. Let’s start voting. Let's put solutions in place for the American people. We can produce more energy, create more jobs, grow our economy and grow our tax base so that we can reduce our debt and deficit without raising taxes,” Hoeven said. “We can provide real energy security for our nation and do it with better environmental stewardship.”

Hoeven said the plan is not one, big monolithic, one-size-fits-all federal plan. Instead it’s a series of actions and bills already drafted, introduced and sponsored by members on both sides of the aisle that would truly create an all-of-the-above approach to American energy development.

First, the senator called for approval by Congress of the Keystone XL pipeline project, which is in its sixth year of review and seems further mired in administrative inaction. The state department issued a final EIS in January finding that the project will have no significant impact on the environment. That was followed by an inspector general’s report confirming that the contractor had no conflict of interest, and just last week, a new poll found that two-thirds of Americans approve of the project.

Hoeven highlighted comprehensive energy legislation he has introduced to build a true American energy policy. They include:

Domestic Energy and Jobs Act (DEJA) – DEJA is wide-ranging package of 12 diverse energy bills that would help the country produce more energy, both onshore and offshore. It addresses both traditional and renewable energy development, streamlines and simplifies regulations, boosts domestic energy supplies, builds American energy infrastructure and safeguards America’s supply of critical minerals. It establishes an American energy development plan, an all-of-the-above energy program for federal lands by reviewing the nation’s energy needs and goals for federal land energy production.

Empower States Act - The Empower States Act would ensure that states retain the right to manage hydraulic fracturing and gives them the ability to respond first to any violation. It includes provisions to prevent loss of jobs or harm to consumers and the economy, to prevent arbitrary regulation from federal authorities and to ensure good environmental stewardship. This legislation recognizes that individual states are the first and best responders to oil and gas issues because they know their land and have a stake in protecting their environment.

Coal Ash Recycling and Oversight Act - This legislation would not only help us recycle coal ash but provide better standards to make sure we are storing ash that isn't recycled in environmentally sound ways. It would provide strong state oversight for storage and management of coal residuals, while empowering the industry to safely recycle it into useful and less-expensive construction materials. The bill would establish minimum federal standards, enforce groundwater protection standards and allow for stronger and more cost-effective buildings and roads.

Domestic Fuels Act – The Domestic Fuels Act would help market both traditional oil and gas products, but also renewable fuels like ethanol, biodiesel and other types of fuel that are being developed.

Hoeven closed hitting hard the national security implications of energy policy:

“It’s about national security. Think about what’s going on in Europe right now. Is the European Union going to join with us and impose sanctions on Russia? Do they have the will? Are they concerned that 30 percent of all the natural gas that comes to Europe comes from Russia and half of it goes through Ukraine? And are they so concerned about their energy future that they’re not willing to stand with us and to do the things we need to do to make sure an aggressor like Russia doesn't invade another sovereign country? Energy is very much about national security, and we can be energy secure in this country in very short order with the right approach.”