News Releases
Hoeven Tells QER Solution to Infrastructure Constraints is a Comprehensive Energy Plan Like North Dakota’s
BISMARCK, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven, a member of the U.S. Senate Energy Committee, today told Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz and a group of energy leaders that the way to create jobs, grow the economy and make ourselves energy independent is by developing all of the nation's abundant resources in tandem. "As governor, I worked for a decade to build a comprehensive energy plan for North Dakota called Empower North Dakota. It is a true all-of-the-above plan that did not pick winners and losers, b… Continue Reading
08.08.14
Hoeven: Let's Use the QER Process to Set a National Goal of Energy Security
BISMARCK, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven, a member of the U.S. Senate Energy Committee, today issued the following statement in response to the National Quadrennial Energy Review (QER). The event was attended by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Ernest Moniz, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and a group of federal officials and energy industry leaders. "Let's use the QER process to set a goal for national energy security within five years. For the first time in decades this is a real… Continue Reading
08.07.14
Hoeven: More than 300 Personnel Coming to Minot Air Force Base
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today announced that Minot Air Force Base will grow by 303 positions under the Air Force's Nuclear Force Improvement Program. The 5th Bomb Wing host unit is expected to increase by 69 positions in areas including operations and maintenance. The 91st Missile Wing will grow by 234 positions. Those Airmen will primarily serve in jobs such as operations, maintenance, and security forces. Hoeven met in June with Lt. Gen. Stephen Wilson, commander of the Air Force G… Continue Reading
08.07.14
Hoeven Highlights New Veterans Reform Act at Medal Ceremony for Joseph OBrien and Larry Wayman
FARGO, N.D. - At a medal presentation ceremony in Fargo today, Senator John Hoeven highlighted the importance of the Veterans Administration (VA) bill Congress passed last week as a concrete way to show our appreciation to America's veterans. The legislation helps to shorten wait times for health care services and helps veterans get health care services closer to home. Today's ceremony was held at the Cass County Courthouse to honor Joseph OBrien, a WWII United States Army veteran, and Larry … Continue Reading
08.07.14
Hoeven Hosts Roundtable with BNSF, Agricultural Producers on Improving Rail Service, Agriculture Shipments
FARGO, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today hosted a roundtable in Fargo with Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway Executive Chairman Matt Rose, Senator Heidi Heitkamp and North Dakota producers about improving rail service in the state and relieving the backlog of agriculture shipments. Hoeven emphasized the importance of addressing the backlog prior to the fall harvest, which will significantly increase the demands on the already overburdened rail system. Today's meeting came as a result… Continue Reading
08.06.14
Hoeven Hosts USDA Under Secretary at Rural Development Roundtable
WAHPETON, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven and Senator Heidi Heitkamp, along with local directors for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development, today hosted Robert Bonnie, USDA Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment at a rural development roundtable in Wahpeton with state and local officials. As a member of the U.S. Senate Agriculture and Appropriations Committees, Hoeven continues working to support rural development programs and to grow North Dakota's rural communities… Continue Reading
08.05.14
Hoeven Celebrates Grand Opening of Bobcat's $28 Million Acceleration Center
BISMARCK, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today marked the grand opening of the new $28 million Bobcat Company Acceleration Center located at the company's Bismarck-based Northern Plains Commerce Centre (NPCC) facility. The 190,000 square-foot facility will house office and lab space, classrooms, demonstration and machine operation areas, and its 175 employees will conduct initial design and prototype manufacturing, testing new ideas and concepts and helping to bring future Bobcat products to market … Continue Reading
08.05.14
Hoeven, Airport Officals Review Progress on New Minot International Airport Terminal, Runway, Apron Project
MINOT- Senator John Hoeven along with Minot Airport and city leaders today reviewed the progress on the new terminal building and other important projects currently underway to improve Minot International Airport. The work comes in response to tremendous economic growth, increased population and record boardings at the facility. Last week, Hoeven announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) had awarded an additional $1.5 million, for a total of nearly $10.5 million in grant fund… Continue Reading
08.04.14
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 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 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 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
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: 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
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
