Hoeven, Officials Break Ground on New Dakota Prairie Diesel Refinery
DICKINSON, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today joined officials from MDU Resources Group, Inc. and Calumet Specialty Products Partners to break ground for a new, $300 million diesel refining facility in southwestern North Dakota that will process up to 20,000 barrels per day of Bakken crude. As both governor and now senator, Hoeven is working to develop a strong national energy plan to boost domestic energy production and reduce dependency on Middle Eastern petroleum.
MDU Resources and Calumet formed a joint venture, Dakota Prairie Refining, to develop, build and operate the refinery. Construction on the refinery, which is being built on 318-acres west of Dickinson, is expected to take up to 20 months. According to company officials, the plant will employ approximately 100 people and hiring is expected to begin in 2013.
“We need more diesel in North Dakota. The Dakota Prairie Refinery will provide much needed energy infrastructure in western North Dakota and will help produce the diesel we need to meet growing demands in our state,” said Hoeven. “This refinery will create good jobs for our people and help to fuel our economy. We are grateful that MDU and Calumet chose to build a refinery here. This is one more example of the tremendous contribution our state is making to power our nation.”
Hoeven, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, has been working to build a comprehensive energy policy for the nation. Hoeven energy initiatives include:
- Approving the Keystone XL Pipeline. On Friday, Hoeven successfully included an amendment to the Senate budget that affirms the Senate’s support for approval of the Keystone XL pipeline project, important energy infrastructure for North Dakota and the nation. The measure was approved by a vote of 62-37. Hoeven is sponsoring legislation to approve the pipeline, which is currently being held up by the President.
- The Empower States Act. This Hoeven legislation would ensure that states retain the right to manage hydraulic fracturing and gives them the ability to respond first to any violation.
- Domestic Energy and Jobs Act (DEJA). DEJA is a wide-ranging package of 13 diverse energy bills that addresses both traditional and renewable development, and is designed to streamline and simplify regulations, boost domestic energy supplies, build American energy infrastructure and safeguard America’s supply of critical minerals.
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