Hoeven Statement on North Dakota's Lawsuit Against Biden Administration's Oil & Gas Leasing Moratorium

Press Release

Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, issued the following statement after North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration over its moratorium on new oil and gas leases for federal lands and waters. This follows a federal court decision last month to block the moratorium as the matter moves forward. In response to the court decision, Hoeven and a group of his Senate colleagues pressedInterior Secretary Debra Haaland to move forward all postponed and future sales for onshore oil and gas leases impacted by the leasing ban.

"The Biden administration's moratorium on new oil and gas leases creates uncertainty for our energy producers and unnecessarily burdens our nation, increasing our reliance on foreign energy imports from countries with lower environmental standards," said Hoeven. "We appreciate Attorney General Stenehjem's efforts to ensure this moratorium is permanently overturned, and will continue working to ensure that energy leases on federal land continue. These leases are an important source of revenue for all levels of government, support a stronger economy and good jobs and help ensure our nation remains energy independent."

Hoeven has repeatedly pushed back on the administration's oil and gas leasing moratorium, having:

Raised the issue with multiple Biden administration officials, including Interior Secretary Debra Haaland and Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm.
Pressed Haaland regarding limitations placed on public participation in a recent virtual forum on the moratorium.
Helped introduce legislation to prohibit the administration from issuing moratoria on leasing and permitting for energy and mineral resources on federal lands.

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