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BISMARCK – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, delivered remarks at Basin Electric’s Annual Meeting, highlighting Basin’s leadership in North Dakota’s all-the-above energy portfolio. He also discussed his vision for an America first energy and climate agenda in the 118th Congress.

During his remarks, Senator Cramer emphasized how America’s natural resources and ingenuity propel U.S. energy production. It also eliminates the need to rely on our adversaries.

“We have this incredible blessing of natural resources in the United States and the opportunity to lead America and the rest of the world in energy production,” said Senator Cramer.

“We are the innovators of the world and we have a capitalist system that incentivizes it. Our adversaries are not only polluters, they’re human rights and labor violators. If we have a coalition of likeminded nations with the same values, we don’t have to apologize for our exceptionalism, we can take advantage of it. The world will be safer. The air will be cleaner. The climate will be better. And we’ll all be better for it,” continued Senator Cramer.

 

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He also discussed President Joe Biden’s recent remarks to shut down coal plants across America and the impact of Democrats’ reckless energy policies, which incentivize intermittent sources of unreliable power and disincentivize investments in reliable baseload generation. Senator Cramer reiterated that any permitting deal must force federal agencies to work concurrently, have enforceable deadlines with recourse for project sponsors, and maintain state authority in processes like siting transmission lines.

Senator Cramer also participated in Basin Electric’s annual meeting last year and highlighted carbon capture technology and greenhouse gas emission regulations. Learn More Here. 

Background:

In January, Senator Cramer and Lt. General McMaster outlined an America First approach to trade and energy production by aligning climate and national security policy in an op-ed for Foreign Policy. Looking through the lens of trade with the European Union, the op-ed highlights opportunities to be a global leader on emission reductions by producing and exporting American energy, which enhances the United States’ economy, national security, and geopolitical interests.