U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer said on April 18 that the United States must modernize its oil refineries to match current production and achieve true energy independence. In an op-ed published in the Fargo Forum, Cramer argued that while American oil production has reached record levels, outdated refining infrastructure is limiting the nation’s ability to be fully self-reliant.
Cramer’s comments come as global events have once again highlighted concerns about energy security and gas prices. He pointed out that despite high domestic output, many Americans still feel vulnerable to disruptions in the Middle East and question why these circumstances affect prices at home.
“Turning our production dominance into energy independence requires our refineries being tuned to operate in this century’s reality, not the last one,” Cramer wrote. He explained that although U.S. oil production increased from roughly 8 million barrels per day during President Carter’s administration to 13.5 million today, refinery capacity has declined over time—from 254 refineries in 1982 to just 132 now—leaving much of the infrastructure suited for imported heavy-sour crude rather than domestically produced light-sweet crude.
Cramer also discussed policy responses from past decades and warned against reinstating measures such as an oil export ban, arguing they would reduce jobs and weaken geopolitical standing. He cited Section 7 of a recent executive order directing a review of vulnerabilities tied to insufficient transportation and refining infrastructure, urging policymakers not to ignore risks in supply chains or dismiss the need for new or retooled refineries.
Opportunities exist for change: “President Trump announced a new refinery in Texas and North Dakota has a fully-permitted refinery pending financing,” he wrote. Congress is currently debating permitting reform, while federal programs have bolstered loan support for energy security projects.
Cramer assists North Dakotans with federal agencies to resolve issues and provide information, according to the official website (https://www.cramer.senate.gov/). Before joining the Senate, he served three terms as North Dakota’s at-large representative in the U.S. House according to his official biography (https://www.cramer.senate.gov/). He grew up in Kindred, North Dakota; earned degrees from Concordia College and University of Mary; serves on Senate committees for Environment and Public Works, Veterans’ Affairs, Banking Housing and Urban Affairs; and with his wife Kris raised five children with eight grandchildren—all facts reported by his official site (https://www.cramer.senate.gov/).
In closing his op-ed Cramer said: “We can learn from history’s lessons or suffer its same mistakes… It’s time to do it again.”
