By Scout Nelson
During a recent U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing, Senator John Hoeven took stand against the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). He argued that the agency's proposed regulations under the administration could impact property owners, grazers, and energy developers in North Dakota.
The contentious Draft Resource Management Plan (RMP) suggests ceasing leasing on a significant portion of potential oil, gas, and coal lands. This includes a proposal to close off 45 percent of potential federal oil and gas acreage and 95 percent of federal coal acreage, a move Hoeven views as overreach.
Hoeven's opposition stems from the potential negative effects on split-estate ownership in North Dakota, where federal and non-federal minerals often overlap. This arrangement complicates access to privately owned minerals beneath federal surface acreage.
Highlighting the importance of these proposed changes, Hoeven has requested Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to rescind the draft RMP to ensure continued access to taxpayer-owned minerals.
Hoeven criticized the BLM's Public Lands rule, which could establish restrictive restoration or mitigation leases, potentially affecting up to 245 million acres.
In response, Hoeven, alongside Senate ENR Committee Ranking Member John Barrasso, has sponsored a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval to overturn the Public Lands Rule.
"Not only do these rules prevent the U.S. from developing its vast, taxpayer-owned oil, gas, and coal reserves, but because these resources are often co-located with privately-owned minerals, they restrict the ability of private individuals from accessing their own property. That is essentially a takings without compensation," Hoeven stated, emphasizing the violation of multiple-use requirements mandated by Congress.
In his continued advocacy for regulatory relief, Hoeven is sponsoring several legislative measures aimed at enhancing the development of the nation’s oil, gas, and coal resources.
These include the BLM Mineral Spacing Act, the North American Energy Act, and legislation to expedite NEPA reviews for essential energy infrastructure projects like natural gas pipelines and LNG facilities.
Through these efforts, Hoeven seeks to empower greater development and responsible management of America's energy resources.
Photo Credit -north-dakota-state-seal
Categories: North Dakota, Energy, Government & Policy