Cap-and-Trade alternative (Letter to editor; Gov.Hoeven ND)

Minot Daily News ^ | January 6, 2010 | Gov. John Hoeven

[upsdriver]

Gov. John Hoeven, Bismarck

I'm responding to a recent letter by Tom Magin concerning federal cap and trade legislation.

I oppose Waxman-Markey, the cap and trade bill now being considered by Congress, as well as a recent ruling by the Environmental Protection Agency concerning regulation of CO2. In fact, I testified against the federal cap and trade bill before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works in Washington, D.C. last July.

Clearly, Congress and the Administration are taking the wrong approach on cap and trade. Instead of Waxman-Markey, Congress needs to implement a comprehensive energy policy that will incentivize industry to develop all of our energy resources in an environmentally sound manner. That's what we have done in North Dakota with Empower ND, the state's comprehensive energy policy.

Let me give just a few brief examples. In North Dakota, we're using horizontal drilling techniques to tap as much oil from one well as traditional drilling techniques usually produce with ten. At the same time, we're also implementing tertiary oil recovery, whereby carbon is captured from a coal gasification plant and is "sequestered" in the ground, forcing more oil to the surface. These technologies enable us to access new oil formations, produce more oil with a smaller environmental footprint, and manage carbon in a reasonable and efficient way.

Also, Basin Electric Power Cooperative's Antelope Valley Station is participating in another large-scale CO2 capture and sequestration demonstration project in cooperation with the state of North Dakota and the Department of Energy. This project is part of PCOR, the Plains CO2 Reduction Partnership. Antelope Valley Power Station will likely be the first commercial-scale coal-fired electric plant in the nation to capture and sequester CO2 on a post-combustion basis. This means more energy from coal-fired production, a reduction in CO2 emissions, and more oil produced through tertiary recovery.

We are making similar progress with renewable sources. In the last eight years, North Dakota has gone from less than half a megawatt of wind energy to more than 1,200 megawatts in service or under construction, with an additional 5,000 permitted to move forward. Similarly, we have boosted our biofuels production from less than 40 million gallons a year to more than 400 million gallons of ethanol and biodiesel, with additional capacity at the ready.

These and other cases show there is a better alternative than Waxman-Markey and cap and trade. The right approach is creating a comprehensive energy policy to empower energy development without taxing consumers. Through a comprehensive energy plan, our country can spur development of all of our energy resources with good stewardship while still promoting energy efficiency and conservation. The result will be more jobs, a stronger, more vibrant economy, good environmental stewardship, and greater energy independence and security for our nation.

[upsdriver]

A letter to the editor from Gov Hoeven(R) who may be running for the Senate seat currently held by Sen. Byron Dorgan.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Hoeven is presidential material. I like his record and his background.

[upsdriver]

As important as energy is to the national debate, Hoeven would be an important voice in Washington.

[screaminsunshine]

All the GOP has to do is come up with a center right policy and stick to their guns. They will get a clean sweep in November. Obama has exposed the Donks for what they are. Radical Marxists.

[upsdriver]

Here is a Dec. 25th news story about record oil production in ND. Pumping 240,000 barrels of crude per day.

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