Hoeven Discusses Proposed Energy Bill | Video

Chris Williams | 9/19/2012

When hydraulic fracturing first started in North Dakota, Senator Hoeven wanted to make sure the state had control of it. He says now that has paid off.

"We built a comprehensive energy policy for the state of North Dakota, and now North Dakota is leading the country in energy development."

Hoeven`s next step is to take North Dakota`s policy nationwide.

"We`ve got to have the kind of legal, and tax regulatory environment that will enable us to develop these energy resources, get that private investment. Not just here like it is in North Dakota, but around the country," added Hoeven.

And he won`t be working alone on this legislation. The ranking member of the energy committee, Senator Lisa Murkowski, is in favor of the bill.

"The legislation that Senator Hoeven is going to be advancing, I’m going to be helping him with. We will say, `Look, let the states lead on this. They are the ones that have the local knowledge.`"

Murkowski says, in some cases, the Federal Government acts as a landlord when it comes to extracting resources, and that`s not way the country is going to become energy independent.

"We`ve got the resource, but we need to have access to it. It requires federal legislation, it requires really taking on your own federal government...that`s what I`m going to do."

Hoeven says becoming energy independent is a matter of security.

"Look what`s going on in the middle east. We should not be getting our oil from them. We could produce our energy right here at home."

He believes if the right polices are in place our country will produce its own resources sooner than you think.

"We can do it in 5-7 years if we create the right kind of environment, generate that investment I`m talking about."

Hoeven said this will enable North Dakota to lead the way in hydraulic fracturing.

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