05.01.25

Hoeven Introduces Andrea Travnicek at Senate ENR Committee Confirmation Hearing

Senator, Nominees Discuss Advancing Water Supply Projects, Ensuring Access to Taxpayer-Owned Energy Resources

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven this week introduced Dr. Andrea Travnicek at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee hearing on her nomination as Assistant Secretary for Water and Science at the U.S. Department of the Interior. Hoeven outlined Travnicek’s depth of experience and qualifications for the role, which covers a range of issues relevant to agriculture, energy and water development in North Dakota. During his remarks, Hoeven discussed with Travnicek, as well as Leslie Beyer, the nominee to serve as Assistant Secretary of the Interior, Lands and Minerals Management, the importance of:

  • Ensuring access to reliable water supplies for North Dakota’s communities.
    • Hoeven continues working to advance his legislation to increase authorizations under the Dakota Water Resources Act (DWRA).
    • The increased funding from the Municipal, Rural, and Industrial (MR&I) program is needed to complete water supply projects like the Northwest Area Water Supply (NAWS) and the Eastern North Dakota Alternate Water Supply (ENDAWS).
  • Keeping U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) surveys of oil and gas reserves updated, reflecting the latest technologies and industry practices.
  • Maximizing access to taxpayer-owned energy resources, including the abundant oil, gas and coal reserves that fall under federal control.
    • The senator highlighted his North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act, which would allow equal-value exchanges to reduce fragmentation of state and tribally-owned lands and minerals, while supporting greater development of these resources.
    • Hoeven also stressed the need to provide regulatory relief and streamline federal permitting.

“Dr. Travnicek has a stellar background for the position of Assistant Secretary for Water and Science. Not only does she have a depth of technical knowledge, but she has a record of collaboration across all levels of government, with tribes and private stakeholders,” said Senator Hoeven. “We look forward to working with her to advance critical priorities for North Dakota, including completing more drought-resistant water supply projects. At the same time, her role overseeing the USGS is essential in unlocking our nation’s energy potential, helping to identify the vast recoverable, taxpayer-owned energy resources. Through updated USGS surveys, as well as needed regulatory relief and streamlined permitting, we can maximize the benefit of our oil, gas and coal reserves and truly make the U.S. energy dominant.” 

Dr. Travnicek holds a Ph.D. in Natural Resources Management/Communication from North Dakota State University. During President Trump’s first term, she served as a deputy assistant secretary at Interior. Most recently, she was Director of the North Dakota Department of Water Resources. As governor, Hoeven appointed her as a senior policy advisor in his office following her service with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Sacramento, California.

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