John Hoeven

Ten years for a coal process is too long.

And that energy production makes us competitive in other key sectors, right, like manufacturing, construction, all those other industry sectors that create good jobs as well, wouldn't you say?

So you would say building a pipeline is a win in terms of more energy, a win in terms of jobs and a win for the environment because it is the safest way to transport energy?

I think the value of the dollar is the biggest problem in terms of our--all exports, certainly ag exports, but all exports.

I would like to thank all of our witnesses for being here today.

I think is a very good thing.

I think Director Black is familiar with it.

I think it is clear that prevention is the least costly and the most effective way to address new invasive species.

We need more of these partnerships with entrepreneurs like yourself and with companies that are willing to go on the reservation.

Did you find some of the same barriers at the State level that Mr. Enjady referred to?

What is your recommendation on how to create these partnerships to get the larger companies to come in to get the public-private partnerships?

But we need--all these different regulations, and they've got to figure out how to work with them.

One regulation might stop them from putting in gas-gathering systems on Federal land at the same time they're trying to reduce methane emissions from flares.

How are we supposed to meet that without just closing power plants? What are you willing to do to help the industry?

And I would encourage you to, between yourself and your people, engage with the farm and ranch groups, sit down and talk to them.

The number one regulation opposed by our farmers and ranchers, not just in North Dakota, but really across the country, is WOTUS, Waters of the United States.

The cost to comply will likely outweigh the production benefits

You have to provide an exemption process where somebody, and I believe it should be the state, can be the primary regulator.

You have to help them through the permitting process, and then you are going to have to come up with a way whereby, if the state is doing this, that the Federal agencies work with the state.

But can you see how these things have to fit together?

So how do we expedite that permitting process on Federal lands? Senator Barrasso and I have a bill to try to expedite that.

Thank you. I'd like to thank my colleague from the great state of Minnesota for that.

Is there a process where we can work with the BLM to get an exemption, so the state, if they are undertaking the action, which, as you acknowledged, we are working very aggressively to do in North Dakota, as one example, where we can get…

Now Senator Tester, being really sharp and on the ball, is ahead of the rest of us.

I'm hopeful, again, working with Senator Tester and others, we get this done.