News Releases
Hoeven Meets with Energy Secretary to Plan QER in Bismarck, Push for CHS Loan Application EERC Research, LNG Exports
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven last week met with U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz to push a range of issues important to North Dakota. They include help planning the National Quadrennial Energy Review (QER) meeting scheduled in Bismarck on August 8, advancing Cenex Harvest States' loan application for a cutting-edge fertilizer plant, LNG exports and the Energy and Environmental Research Center's (EERC) work to develop commercially viable carbon capture and sequestration technology. Nat… Continue Reading
08.01.14
Hoeven Presses Customs and Border Protection Commissioner to Partner with UAS Test Sites
WASHINGTON - In a letter to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske last week, Senator John Hoeven pressed CBP to partner with the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) unmanned aerial system (UAS) test sites as CBP develops UAS technology. Grand Forks was designated as one of FAA's six UAS test sites in December 2013. "As home to one of the six FAA test sites, Grand Forks is a premier hub for UAS technology and training and an ideal location for CBP to pursue its g… Continue Reading
08.01.14
Hoeven: Senate Passes Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Address VA Health Care Challenges
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Senate voted 91 to 3 to pass bipartisan, bicameral legislation to reform the Veterans Affairs Administration (VA) and ensure veterans receive timely care. The bill is the result of a Senate-House conference committee created in June to reach a compromise agreement between legislation both chambers had passed earlier this summer. The U.S. House of Representatives approved the compromise legislation yesterday, and the president is expe… Continue Reading
08.01.14
Hoeven Announces $10.5 Million in DOT Grant Funding for Minot Airport
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a total of nearly $10.5 million in grant funding to Minot International Airport to complete its runway and apron project. The senator announced in May that the airport would receive nearly $9 million in DOT Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants for the project. However, airport authorities found they needed an additional $1.5 million to complete the new apron project in the cur… Continue Reading
08.01.14
Hoeven Statement on Congress Passing an Extension of the Highway Transportation Bill
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement regarding Congress's passage of a measure by 81 to 13 that would extend highway transportation funding until May 31, 2015: "Today, the Senate passed a House-drafted measure that will allow states to continue and complete construction projects already underway. The measure is especially important for North Dakota to keep up with our state's steady economic and demographic growth. "While I have been pushing for a long-term hig… Continue Reading
08.01.14
Hoeven Statement on Congress Passing Aid for Israel's Missile Defense System, Iron Dome
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement regarding passage today of a $225 million Emergency Supplemental funding bill that will help Israel defend itself against incoming missiles fired from Gaza: "Israel is once again under attack by Hamas, an extremist Palestinian element that refuses to recognize Israel's right to exist. Hamas is deliberately firing thousands of missiles into populated areas of Israel, seeking to do maximum injury to civilians and property. Th… Continue Reading
08.01.14
Hoeven Works to Get Support for Drug Enforcement Effort in Western North Dakota
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven this week spoke with Drug Enforcement Administration chief Michelle Leonhart to secure more support for western North Dakota's drug enforcement effort. The agency currently has agents assigned to Fargo and Bismarck. "It's critical that the DEA dedicate sufficient staff, both fulltime and on an as-needed basis, to help fight drug crimes," Hoeven said. "This includes assigning DEA agents to local narcotic taskforces in western North Dakota and providing more age… Continue Reading
07.31.14
Hoeven Introduces, Heitkamp Cosponsors U.S. Senate Resolution Commemorating North Dakota's 125th Anniversary of Statehood
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate this week passed a resolution introduced by Senator John Hoeven and cosponsored by Senator Heidi Heitkamp commemorating the 125th anniversary of North Dakota's statehood. The resolution chronicles significant events in the state's history and congratulates the state's residents on driving North Dakota's many successes, including its recent unprecedented economic growth and rising standard of living. "North Dakota has come a long way since its beginning," Hoeven said… Continue Reading
07.31.14
Hoeven Announces Nearly $200,000 in Funding for Hazmat Emergency Preparedness for North Dakota Communities
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), has awarded North Dakota $191,512 in formula funding from its Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) Grant program. The funds will support the development of emergency plans for local communities as well as training for local first responders to help communities prepare for potential hazmat transportation inciden… Continue Reading
07.30.14
Hoeven Statement on the Senate-Passed Extension of the Highway Transportation Bill
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement regarding Congress's passage of a measure that would extend highway transportation funding: "Yesterday, the Senate passed a measure that will allow states to continue and complete construction projects already underway. The measure is especially important to North Dakota to keep up with our state's steady economic and demographic growth. "While I have been pushing for a long-term highway bill, this extension was necessar… Continue Reading
07.30.14
Hoeven: BNSF Railway to Hold Off On Speed Limit Increases Through Devils Lake
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that BNSF Railway has agreed to hold off on a plan to increase speed limits for trains traveling through Devils Lake. Hoeven spoke with BNSF Railway Executive Chairman Matt Ross this afternoon to express the community's concerns about the plan and to request the railroad work with the mayor and city leaders to resolve the issue. Rose agreed to hold off on increasing speed limits through the community, review the railroad's plan and have further di… Continue Reading
07.30.14
Surface Transportation Board Chairman Updates Hoeven on Efforts to Reduce Agriculture Shipping Backlogs
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today met with Surface Transportation Board (STB) Chairman Daniel R. Elliott to address concerns about backlogs on agriculture rail shipments. Hoeven is pushing the railroads to catch up before the harvest season is fully underway. "We continue to press railroads to eliminate backlogs and get agriculture shipments on schedule for our producers, especially with the harvest season fast approaching," said Hoeven. "I spoke with STB Chairman Dan Elliot, as well as BN… Continue Reading
07.30.14
Hoeven Congratulates ONEOK on ND Investments to Capture Natural Gas, Reduce Flaring in ND
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today released the following statement in response to ONEOK Partners' announcement that it will invest $605 to $785 million in the Williston Basin to construct a new Demicks Lake natural gas processing facility and related infrastructure in North Dakota that will help reduce natural gas flaring in the state: "ONEOK Partners' announcement today is good news for North Dakota because it will create jobs and capture more natural gas, but it is also good news for t… Continue Reading
07.29.14
Hoeven Statement on Senate Confirmation of Veterans Affairs Secretary Nominee Robert McDonald
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven issued the following statement upon confirmation of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary nominee Robert McDonald: "Last week I met with Veterans Affairs Secretary nominee Robert McDonald to press for his support to allow veterans more options for health care and long term care (LTC) services in their home communities. I believe he is receptive to our ideas, and will work with us on these priorities to ensure our veterans receive the best care possible. "Specific… Continue Reading
07.29.14
Hoeven: USDA Needs to Follow Up SCO for Wheat and Durum with Implementation for All Commodities in All Counties
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) will begin new Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO), available through the federal crop insurance program, with the 2015 crop year. The SCO covers spring and durum wheat for all North Dakota counties. USDA is slated to announce the counties selected for other commodities later this summer, and Hoeven is pressing the agency to cover all North Dakota counties. Hoeven … Continue Reading
07.28.14
Hoeven Presses EPA Administrator to Withdraw Proposed Waters of the U.S. Rule
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, met last week with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy to press again for the agency to abandon its proposed "Waters of the U.S." rule. Hoeven said farmers and ranchers are concerned by the proposal that significantly expands EPA authority to regulate small wetlands, creeks, stock ponds and ditches under the Clean Water Act (CWA). "We made it clear to the Administrator that the EPA ne… Continue Reading
07.28.14
Hoeven Congratulates Fargo for taking Top Spot on Forbes List of Best Small Places for Business and Careers
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today congratulated city and business leaders in Fargo for taking the top ranking this year on Forbes' list of the Best Small Places for Business and Careers. The city moved up from the number two spot in 2013. The publishers said Fargo is a "cultural, commerce, manufacturing, health care and education hub for the region and home to North Dakota State University." "Congratulations to all who have worked so hard to make Fargo and North Dakota a top performer on t… Continue Reading
07.25.14
Hoeven, Heitkamp to Host Train Car Safety Training in October
WASHINGTON - Senators John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp today announced they will be hosting, in partnership with GATX Corporation and BNSF, a railcar safety training event this October in Fargo, North Dakota. From October 6-8, GATX, the largest railcar leasing company in the world, will provide training to local rail workers and emergency responders using its TankTrainerTM and Classroom Car. GATX's TankTrainer is a 33,500-gallon tank car outfitted with a variety of fittings, coatings and config… Continue Reading
07.25.14
Hoeven Announces More Than $7 Million in FEMA Grants Awarded to North Dakota to Ensure Safety and Preparedness
BISMARCK, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded North Dakota three grants totaling more than $7 million to help with state and local preparedness programs to ensure the safety of all North Dakotans. "Maintaining the safety and well-being of citizens is the most fundamental role of our government," said Hoeven. "These FEMA grants will help ensure that our local, state and tribal law enforc… Continue Reading
07.24.14
Hoeven Offers Compromise LNG Export Legislation
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, a member of the U.S. Senate Energy Committee, this week introduced S.2638, the LNG Certainty Act, compromise legislation to expedite permitting of liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities. The bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to make a National Interest Determination within 45 days of a company filing an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Currently, companies apply to both FERC and DOE to receive a LNG permit. The FERC a… Continue Reading
