Senator Heidi Heitkamp Advocates for All-of-the-Above Energy Policy to Support North American Independence

Strategic Insights -

In a recent speech at the 2015 Energy Exports Summit, North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp emphasized the need for an all-of-the-above energy policy to promote North American energy independence and reduce dependence on volatile countries. Heitkamp, a lead cosponsor of the bipartisan amendment to lift the 40-year ban on exporting U.S. crude oil, emphasized the importance of leveling the playing field for American oil producers and expediting LNG shipments to better compete in the global energy market. Heitkamp also stressed the need to provide a path forward for global coal energy production to continue providing coal to power communities worldwide.

Key Takeaways:

  • Senator Heidi Heitkamp is a lead cosponsor of the bipartisan amendment to lift the 40-year ban on exporting U.S. crude oil, which aims to support North American energy independence and reduce dependence on volatile countries.
  • The amendment would also require the U.S. Department of Energy to issue a report on the ability of U.S. and Iranian oil producers to compete in the global market.
  • Heitkamp has long advocated for lifting the ban on exporting U.S. crude oil, notably speaking at the national energy strategy meeting at the U.S. Department of Energy in August 2014 and appearing on CNBC's Squawk Box in September 2014.
  • Heitkamp has also championed expedited approval of LNG exports, introducing bipartisan legislation in January to speed up the approval process for countries without Free Trade Agreements with the U.S.
  • The legislation would require the Department of Energy Secretary to make a decision on permits within 45 days after a review is complete.
  • Heitkamp has emphasized the need to promote North American clean coal energy, reintroducing the Clean Coal Technology Investment in Our Nation Act in February, which aimed to provide a path forward for coal by encouraging the use of advanced clean coal technologies.
  • Heitkamp has been working with Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz and Deputy Energy Secretary Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall to expedite shipments of LNG and advance clean coal energy.
  • Since 2013, Heitkamp has welcomed U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell to North Dakota's oil patch and joined her at facilities operated by Statoil to discuss the extraction of LNG.

Statistics:

  • 40-year ban on exporting U.S. crude oil (mentioned in the text)
  • Within 45 days after a review is complete, the Department of Energy Secretary must make a decision on permits for expedited LNG exports (as mentioned in the legislation)
  • In 2014, Heitkamp welcomed U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell to North Dakota's oil patch and joined her at facilities operated by Statoil (mentioned in the text)
  • Heitkamp has been working on promoting North American clean coal energy since long before joining the Senate, with notable efforts including bringing Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy to North Dakota in February 2014 (mentioned in the text)

Sources:

  • Senator Heidi Heitkamp's office press release
  • Energy Independence Coalition
  • Conference of Western Attorneys General
  • CNBC's Squawk Box
  • North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem
  • Republican U.S. Senators John Barrasso (Wyoming) and Steve Daines (Montana)
  • U.S. Senate floor speech by Senator Heidi Heitkamp and Senator Lisa Murkowski (Alaska)
  • Heitkamp's Clean Coal Technology Investment in Our Nation Act (reintroduced in February)