WASHINGTON, D.C. (KVRR) — Sen. John Hoeven is pressing Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm to increase domestic oil and gas production to bring down prices at the pump. He is also stressing the importance of increasing the nation’s refining capacity. Hoeven says U.S. oil refining capacity has dropped to nearly 18 million barrels per day from 19 million in 2019. He…
FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Some nonprofits are disappointed in Governor Doug Burgum for signing two transgender athlete bans into law. Two house bills in the North Dakota legislature prohibit transgender girls and women from joining female sports teams in K-12 and college. The Biden administration recently proposed a rule to forbid outright bans on transgender athletes. “It’s interesting that this…
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP/KVRR) — A federal judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked a federal rule in 24 states that is intended to protect thousands of small streams, wetlands and other waterways throughout the nation. U.S. District Judge Daniel L. Hovland in Bismarck, North Dakota, halted the regulations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers pending…
BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — U.S. District Judge Daniel Traynor in Bismarck has ordered the Bureau of Land Management to resume quarterly oil and gas lease sales in North Dakota. Attorney General Drew Wrigley says the court’s order directs BLM to comply with federal law and do what Congress commanded it to do. He says the dispute started in 2021 when…
FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — An agreement has been reached to extend the hours of service at three border crossings in North Dakota after months of pushing by state leaders. Canada dropped all COVID-19 restrictions for travelers on October 1, but some border hours remain reduced. U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Canada Border Services Agency will temporarily expand operating…
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP/KVRR) — Gov. Doug Burgum is praising the oil and gas industry for being a “powerhouse” and “game-changer” for the state’s economy. He is also bashing the White House for trying to shift the country away from climate change-causing fossil fuels. Citing recent studies, the Republican governor says the industry contributed more than $42 billion to the state’s…
MINNESOTA (KVRR) — Vice President Harris’ visit to St. Cloud focuses on Minnesota’s push for clean energy in the coming decades. By 2030, the movement requires 80% of the state’s electricity to come from carbon-free sources. That goal will be increased to 100% by 2040. Some younger voters support the idea of Minnesota’s clean energy bill but wonder how sustainable…
FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Canada is getting rid of pandemic-related border restrictions that have been in place for two and a half years. Canadian officials say they are removing all COVID-19 travel restrictions starting October 1. That includes testing, quarantine, and isolation requirements for people entering Canada. A transportation official says travelers will also no longer be required to undergo…
WASHINGTON (AP/KVRR) – The estimated $740 billion economic package from Democrats is nowhere near what President Joe Biden first envisioned with his effort to rebuild America’s public infrastructure and family support systems. The Senate has approved the slimmer but still substantial compromise package 51-50 with Vice President Kamala Harris casting the tie-breaking vote. It heads next to the House. It’s…
WASHINGTON (KVRR) — Senator Kevin Cramer is blocking Department of Homeland Security nominees because of an immigration case in North Dakota. A family is separated after the mother, a Canadian, inadvertently overstayed her visa. She has been barred from entering the U.S. for 10 years. Cramer says the woman received poor advice during the COVID pandemic which led her to…
