Senator John Hoeven has outlined Republican priorities aimed at restoring U.S. energy security under the new administration and the 119th Congress. Speaking on the Senate floor, Hoeven emphasized the need to reverse federal regulations from the Biden administration that he claims have restricted access to taxpayer-owned lands and increased energy production costs.
“We will work with President Trump to unleash more American energy and not only make our country energy independent once again, but we’re going to make the U.S. energy dominant,” said Hoeven. He criticized what he described as “strangling regulations” and advocated for boosting innovation in the energy sector.
Hoeven pointed out recent actions by the Biden administration, including a new natural gas tax and rules that he argues prevent development of energy resources on public lands. He noted specific concerns in North Dakota, where proposed restrictions could close off significant portions of federal oil, gas, and coal acreage.
He further expressed support for Governor Doug Burgum’s nomination as Secretary of the Interior, highlighting its significance for North Dakota and other western states in terms of managing federal land and mineral resources.
Hoeven stressed repealing several federal policies targeting natural gas and coal-fired electricity, such as the Methane Rule & Natural Gas Tax, Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) Rule, Clean Power Plan 2.0, Water Discharge Rule, and Coal Ash Rule. Additionally, he called for changes to policies that restrict access to taxpayer-owned lands like the Public Lands Rule and BLM’s Updated Resource Management Plan for North Dakota.
