The Williston Herald - Cramer to Host Energy Town Hall Tuesday

News Article

By David Rupkalvis

Congressman Kevin Cramer will host an online energy town hall Tuesday and is accepting questions from North Dakota residents.

Cramer will address regulatory threats to North Dakota's lignite and oil and gas industries during the town hall from 3 to 4 p.m.

The town hall will be broadcast live on the Internet.

The event is hosted by the Lignite Energy Council and Bakken Backers.

"Coal and oil producers are a vital source of business for many sectors of our economy, while our manufacturing and agriculture industries rely on affordable and reliable energy provided by both," Cramer said. "Importantly, these producers offer some of the best-paying jobs in North Dakota. Unjustified regulations on these industries from the federal government impact nearly every business and job in North Dakota."

North Dakotans are invited to participate in the event by going to kevincramer.org/energytownhall where participants can watch the town hall discussion as well as submit questions to Cramer.

The website will open to questions beginning at noon today, June 30.

Cramer said in North Dakota, more than 85,000 jobs rely directly or indirectly on the oil and lignite industries.

Regulations from the EPA, Fish and Wildlife and other federal regulators have threatened the ability of each industry to grow and create new jobs within the state.

These federal government agencies have prevented right of way easements that would reduce flaring on the Fort Berthold reservation, imposed arbitrary carbon-capture regulations on electricity producers that will significantly increase the cost of power and openly engaged in tactics such as "sue and settle," where environmental activists file suit and reach settlements with the administration in a manner that sets new regulations while bypassing public involvement and congress, Cramer said.

"I look forward to hearing questions from the public who are interested in our energy industry, its impacts on our state and economy, and the effects of proposed regulations," Cramer said. "North Dakota leads by example when it comes to economic success and environmental stewardship, and we can continue to do both as long as we keep Washington out of the way."

Source