News Releases for August 2005
August 22, 2005
For further information, please Contact the Governor's Office
Hoeven Calls On Energy Secretary To Address Fuel Prices
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven in a letter last week called on Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman to evaluate the nation's petroleum refining capacity, and to take any other measures available to reduce the high level of fuel prices.
"The impacts of rising fuel prices are felt throughout all sectors of our economy - especially agriculture," Hoeven said. "As we enter harvest season, and approach a long holiday weekend, the Department of Energy needs to look at measures to reduce the short term cost of fuel as well as long term solutions to reduce our dependence on foreign oil."
The state of North Dakota has worked hard to promote the production of conventional and renewable energy resources as well as energy conservation measures. Within the last year, Hoeven has announced the launching of two new ethanol plants. Two weeks ago he joined company officials to announce a memorandum of understanding preparatory to a new $750 million coal liquefaction plant. These measures, boosted by the recently signed federal energy bill will help in the long term, but more needs to be done to help our citizens with the current high fuel prices.
Recent spikes in fuel prices can be linked to nearly a dozen unplanned shutdowns at domestic refineries in the past month. With current refineries running at 95 percent of capacity, an outage at any facility can result in increased prices.
"In the short term, increased refining capacity is a critical component of reducing prices," Hoeven wrote. "I request that the Department of Energy evaluate our nation's refining capacity, and do everything possible to boost domestic fuel production. Also, I ask that you take any other measures available to you to help reduce the very high level of fuel prices."
E-mail comments to the Governor
