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MINOT, ND – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), a Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee member, with Senator John Hoeven convened two roundtables today between North Dakota coal and oil producers and Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette. The senators were joined by Governor Burgum and Lieutenant Governor Brent Sanford.

“Under President Trump and Secretary Brouillette’s energy dominance agenda, America is safer, emissions are lower, and our producers are respected on the world stage,” said Senator Cramer. “We must be constantly seeking ways to keep this energy revolution moving forward, and today our coal and oil producers got to play a leading role in that effort, expressing concerns and offering ideas with an exceptional and attentive Energy Secretary.”

“The economic growth and certainty created by the Trump Administration pre-COVID has allowed for robust domestic energy production – making us the number one oil and gas producer in the world - and North Dakota has contributed immensely to our energy independence,” said Secretary Brouillette. “Instead of regulating certain types of energy out of existence, it is imperative we continue an innovative “all-of-the-above” energy strategy to further provide economic growth and opportunity, well-paying jobs, and reliable and affordable electricity to the American people.”

The first roundtable was with coal producers in North Dakota. Senator Cramer’s work to support this industry includes:

  • Supporting the Energy Department’s research and development appropriations for carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) technologies such as Project Tundra;
  • Working with the Trump Administration to advance the 45Q Carbon Capture Tax Credit;
  • Leading the fight in the Senate to end the Wind Production Tax Credit;
  • Cosponsoring the SAVE Jobs Act, which includes tax provisions to help energy producers stay competitive and keep their workers on the job;
  • Modernizing the 48A clean coal facilities tax credit; and
  • Promoting Secretary Brouillette’s effort to establish coal products innovation centers. 

The second roundtable included North Dakota’s oil producers. Senator Cramer has been a leading voice in Congress for this industry, taking recent action like:

  • Fighting to end the de-facto war on America’s producers during Russia and Saudi Arabia’s global oil price dispute;
  • Urging the Treasury Department and Federal Reserve to ensure producers can access available credit facilities;
  • Standing up for the Dakota Access Pipeline’s right to operate;
  • Backing rules to update the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for the oil and natural gas industry;
  • Working with Secretary Brouillette on properly taking advantage of opportunities to fill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.