10.03.19

Hoeven to Host EPA Administrator Wheeler at EmPower ND Conference, Discussion of Eastern ND Water Supply Project

BISMARCK, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today announced that he, along with Senator Kevin Cramer and Governor Doug Burgum, will host Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler at the 2019 Great Plains and EmPower ND Energy Conference on Tuesday, October 8. Wheeler will serve as the event’s keynote speaker. Prior to the administrator’s remarks, Hoeven will participate in a group discussion with Cramer and Burgum on their efforts to advance an all-of-the-above energy policy at the state and national level. 

Later that day, Hoeven will hold a meeting with Wheeler and the Garrison Diversion to discuss the Eastern North Dakota Water Supply Project. The state is seeking to access water from the McClusky Canal for the project, saving significant capital and operating costs. Access to the canal requires an Environmental Impact Statement involving the Bureau of Reclamation and the EPA. Full details for the events will be released in the coming days.

“Regulations under the EPA have a tremendous impact across North Dakota’s entire economy, whether its energy development, agriculture production or other industries,” said Hoeven. “That’s why we’ve prioritized providing regulatory relief, including under the WOTUS rule and the previous administration’s burdensome rules for coal-fired power plants, and have sought to advance important benefits for our farmers, like year-round E15. We appreciate Administrator Wheeler’s support in these efforts, as well as his agreement to keynote this year’s Empower ND Conference and meet with the Garrison Diversion about critical water supply issues in the state.”

Since Wheeler’s confirmation in February, Hoeven has worked with the administrator to advance regulatory relief and other policies to benefit the nation’s energy producers, farmers and ranchers and other industries. This includes repealing and replacing the Obama-era Clean Power Plan and Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule with regulations that recognize the primary role of states in managing water, land and air within their borders. Further, Hoeven worked as chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee to secure an EPA rule allowing the year-round sale of E15.

Hoeven will also join Senator Cramer and Administrator Wheeler for events on Monday.

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