News Releases
Tesoro CEO Goff Meets with Hoeven to Discuss Company's Expansion Plans
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today met with Tesoro CEO Greg Goff to review the company's major expansion plans in North Dakota, including a $35 million, 10,000-barrel-per-day expansion of its Mandan refinery and a new rail project to ship North Dakota crude to its Anacortes, Washington facility. The refinery expansion will push refinery capacity to 68,000 barrels-a-day, which will be supplied by Bakken oil through its High Plains Pipeline system. Construction is expected to be completed … Continue Reading
11.16.11
Hoeven Encourages Super Committee to 'Go Big' To Reduce Deficit
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today joined a bipartisan group of members of both the U.S. House and Senate at a press conference to urge again the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to "go big" as they work to cut the U.S. deficit and debt. The senator is among 147 legislators - 45 Senators and 102 Representatives - who are calling for the 12-member, bicameral joint select committee to create a comprehensive plan to reduce the deficit and debt. The joint select committee faces a Nov… Continue Reading
11.16.11
Hoeven Presses Dept. of Energy to Build Partnerships Between Traditional and Renewable Energy Resources
WASHINGTON - Citing examples from North Dakota's energy industry, Senator John Hoeven said that the U.S. Department of Energy must do more to stimulate private investment in new technologies to get traditional and renewable energy sectors working together. Hoeven, speaking at a hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee yesterday, pressed U.S. Department of Energy Undersecretary for Science Dr. Steven Koonin for specific ways the agency's programs can encourage and develop tec… Continue Reading
11.14.11
Conrad, Hoeven, Dalrymple Say North Dakota is the Key to U.S. Energy Independence
BISMARCK - Senators Kent Conrad and John Hoeven and Governor Jack Dalrymple praised North Dakota's potential to serve as an energy hub for the nation today as they welcomed researchers, entrepreneurs, policy makers, and industry leaders to a two-day conference at Bismarck State College's National Energy Center of Excellence. Industry leaders gathered in North Dakota's Capital City to discuss some of North Dakota's - and the nation's - most pressing energy issues. "North Dakota has the potential… Continue Reading
11.14.11
Delegation Announces Agreement on $400 Million in CDBG Funding for Disaster Recovery
WASHINGTON - Senators John Hoeven and Kent Conrad and Congressman Rick Berg today announced that the Joint U.S. House-Senate Conference Committee has approved $400 million in disaster Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for North Dakota and other states that have experienced severe natural disasters this year. This conference agreement on the FY 2012 Agriculture, Commerce/Justice/Science, Transportation/Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Appropriations Bill now heads to the House a… Continue Reading
11.14.11
Hoeven: New EID Passport Tech Center Continues State's Economic Growth and Diversification
MINOT, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today said that Eid Passport, Inc.'s recent investment in Minot is a good example of the state's growing and diversifying economy. Eid Passport, a security-based technology company, is creating more than 40 jobs at a newly established tech support center in Minot. Hoeven spoke today, along with company officials and state and local leaders, at a ceremony to dedicate the facility. "Eid Passport and our nation's technology companies provide good jobs … Continue Reading
11.14.11
Hoeven: United Pulse's Expansion Signals New Agribusiness Opportunity for Minot
MINOT, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven joined United Pulse Trading in announcing plans to expand its pulse production operation to Minot. As governor, he worked with North Dakota's Department of Commerce, local officials and executives from United Pulse Trading's parent company to bring the company to North Dakota, a leading producer of pulses, like lentils, peas and chickpeas. This collaboration was part of Hoeven's efforts to expand agribusiness throughout the state as part of North Dakota's strate… Continue Reading
11.11.11
Hoeven Visits Veterans, Says They, Their Families Deserve Gratitude and Support
FARGO, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today said that every day should generate the kind of patriotism, support and appreciation Americans traditionally display on Veterans Day. He spoke this afternoon to veterans, their family and friends, and caregivers at the VA Medical Center in Fargo during the annual Veterans Day Program, and visited with veterans after the event. "While it is important for Americans to set aside specific days, like today, to honor veterans, we need to show our respect and gr… Continue Reading
11.10.11
Hoeven: We Need to Show Our Support and Gratitude For Veterans Every Day
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven will visit with veterans tomorrow at the Fargo VA Medical Center and will speak at the center's annual Veterans Day Program at 2 p.m. In anticipation of the annual observance, Hoeven gave the following statement today to all veterans in North Dakota and across our nation and world. "On this and every day, we are grateful for your service. We know that we cannot do enough to show our gratitude for what you have done for our country and for the world. You are our … Continue Reading
11.10.11
Conrad, Hoeven, Dalrymple Unveil Agenda for 2011 Great Plains & EmPower ND Energy Expo
Bismarck - Senators Kent Conrad and John Hoeven and Governor Jack Dalrymple today unveiled the agenda for the 2011 Great Plains & EmPower ND Energy Expo, a two-day energy conference they are hosting on November 14- 15, 2011, at Bismarck State College's National Energy Center of Excellence. "North Dakota has the potential to be the powerhouse for the nation. We are gathering the nation's leading energy experts together to explore innovative ideas and help unlock that potential," the North … Continue Reading
11.10.11
Hoeven Statement on Passage of the Vow to Hire Heroes Act For Veterans
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate's passage of the Vow To Hire Heroes Act, which will provide veterans with additional job training and assistance, as well as a hiring tax credit to businesses to help veterans find employment after their service. The measure passed with overwhelming bipartisan support: "When our men and women in uniform return home from defending our principles and our country, their skills and work ethic should help the… Continue Reading
11.09.11
Hoeven: Congratulations to Basin Electric for Five Decades of Service to North Dakota
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today congratulated Basin Electric Power Cooperative for fifty years of service to North Dakota's rural areas. "Across the state, North Dakotans have access to dependable electricity because of Basin Electric's professional expertise and commitment to good service. We are grateful for their fifty years of dedication to our state and all areas served by their member cooperatives. As one of the largest electric generation and transmission cooperatives in the Unit… Continue Reading
11.08.11
Hoeven Meets with Norwegian Energy Minister, Ambassador
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today met with the Norwegian Energy Minister Ola Morten-Moe to discuss Statoil ASA's large recent investments in North Dakota, as well as opportunities for future collaboration. Also participating in the meeting was Norwegian Ambassador Wegger Christian Strømmen. Statoil ASA is a large Norwegian energy company with extensive North Sea operations. Statoil recently invested more than $4.4 billion in acquiring Brigham Exploration, an independent exploration,… Continue Reading
11.08.11
Hoeven: Create Environment to Attract Investment in Natural Gas Technology and Infrastructure
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today at a hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee worked to find ways to attract investment in new technologies and infrastructure for capturing and transporting natural gas from oil and gas wells and to reduce flaring. Hoeven questioned experts representing government, industry and academics on the future of the U.S. natural gas industry and pressed them to find new and innovative ways to decrease flaring. "North Dakota has an abundance o… Continue Reading
11.07.11
First Nationwide Test of the Emergency Alert System
WASHINGTON - Senators John Hoeven and Kent Conrad and Representative Rick Berg announced today that on Nov. 9 at 1 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST) the federal government will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System. The test will last up to three-and-a-half minutes. During this period, regularly scheduled television, radio, cable and satellite shows will be interrupted as the system is being tested. The delegation wants to ensure that all North Dakotans are aware that t… Continue Reading
11.05.11
Hoeven: Corps Agrees to Flexible Missouri River Management, Better Communication
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today said the Army Corps of Engineers has agreed to a more flexible approach to Missouri River management ahead of potential flooding in the basin next year. Gen. John McMahon late Friday said the Corps will "change its approach to Missouri River Mainstream operations." First, the Corps has agreed to be more flexible with fall and early winter releases. "We will get as much water out of the system as possible as weather permits and the repair work allows," sai… Continue Reading
11.04.11
Hoeven, Bipartisan Group of Senators Challenge Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Executive Bonuses
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven and a bipartisan group of 60 senators, 35 Republicans and 25 Democrats, today challenged the Federal Housing Finance Agency's (FHFA) approval of more than $12 million in bonuses for ten Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac executives. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, government-sponsored enterprises (GSE), have received nearly $141 billion in taxpayer-provided bailout funding, but marked losses of approximately $235 billion since the beginning of 2009. Freddie Mac lost $4.4 bil… Continue Reading
11.04.11
Delegation Encourages ND Guard, Reserve Members to Nominate Outstanding Employers
WASHINGTON - Senators John Hoeven and Kent Conrad and Congressman Rick Berg announced today that Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a U.S. Department of Defense organization, is accepting applications for the 2012 Secretary of Defense Freedom Award, which recognizes employers who show exceptional support for their National Guard and Reserve member employees who are fulfilling their service obligations. The delegation encourages North Dakota's service men and women to nominate employers w… Continue Reading
11.03.11
Hoeven Asks Corps' Top General to Review Recent Decision on Lake Sakakawea Level and Provide More Flood Protection
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today asked Maj. Gen. Merdith W.B. Temple, current Acting Chief of Engineers of the Army Corps of Engineers, to provide detailed information on the downstream constraints that prompted the Corps to reject the state's request to lower water levels on Lake Sakakawea this fall. He also requested that the general provide residents with a better idea of when the agency will be able to create more storage capacity and greater flood protection ahead of next spring. Ge… Continue Reading
11.02.11
Hoeven Works to Support Devils Lake Rail, Williston Bypass Projects
WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven today met with BNSF CEO and President Matt Rose to discuss plans to rebuild a 20-mile span of track and two bridges near Churchs Ferry that serves Amtrak's Empire Builder line across northern North Dakota. The line serves both passenger and freight service through Devils Lake, Rugby, Minot, Fargo, Grand Forks, Stanley and Williston. The track was closed several times this spring due to flooding and high water. Rose earlier this year committed BNSF to funding … Continue Reading