Central ND News

Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) addressed the House Floor today, advocating for H.J. Res. 35, a resolution she co-sponsored aimed at protecting North Dakota's energy producers from what she described as the Biden administration's "punitive methane tax." She emphasized North Dakota's role in responsible energy production and urged for policies that promote American energy independence.

In her prepared remarks, Fedorchak stated, "I rise today in strong support of H.J. Res. 35, legislation I proudly co-sponsored to stand up for North Dakota’s energy producers and hardworking families who depend on affordable, reliable energy."

She highlighted her early efforts in Congress by mentioning her initial action: "For my first action as a member of Congress, I wrote to President Trump and Secretary Burgum, urging them to repeal 20 unnecessary and burdensome rules that threaten affordable, reliable energy—including this rule."

Fedorchak criticized the methane tax as an attack on North Dakota's energy sector and broader economic stability: "The Biden administration's methane tax is a real attack on North Dakota's energy sector, and it's really a tax on every aspect of our lives."

She argued that the federal mandate disproportionately affects small and mid-sized independent producers who are crucial to America's natural gas supply: "This heavy-handed federal mandate punishes small and mid-sized, independent producers who are responsible for 90% of America's natural gas."

Fedorchak asserted that North Dakota exemplifies how innovation can lead to both economic strength and environmental responsibility: "North Dakota leads the way in responsible energy production—not because of government mandates, but because of innovation and technology."

She concluded by stressing the importance of supporting domestic energy solutions over foreign reliance: "This natural gas tax threatens American energy security, and we will be forced to rely on adversaries to meet our energy needs—countries that do not have strong labor or environmental laws."

Fedorchak expressed confidence in American leadership in emission reduction since 2015: "Since 2015, upstream oil and gas producers have reduced their methane emissions by 42%." She ended her speech with a call for promoting U.S. energy production rather than imposing additional taxes.

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