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Congresswoman Julie Fedorchek urges North Dakota to lead on energy, fiscal restraint and AI needs
Summary
Congresswoman Julie Fedorchek addressed the North Dakota Senate on Feb. 18, urging state lawmakers to promote energy development, reduce regulatory barriers and push fiscal restraint in Washington, linking abundant local energy to national competitiveness on artificial intelligence.
Congresswoman Julie Fedorchek addressed the North Dakota Senate in Bismarck on Feb. 18, urging lawmakers to back policies that promote state energy development, reduce federal regulatory burdens and restore fiscal responsibility in Washington.
Fedorchek told senators that ‘‘Energy security is national security’’ and said North Dakota should ‘‘lead these efforts’’ to harness local fuels and power new industries, including artificial intelligence computing. She described opportunities to convert flared gas in the Bakken into electricity for data centers sited near production and called for expedited permitting, investment in carbon capture and development of critical minerals.
Why it matters: Fedorchek framed energy policy as both an economic and national-security priority and explicitly linked federal policy choices to local industries and jobs. Her remarks recommended state-level action to make North Dakota an attractive site for energy and technology investment.
Fedorchek said Washington must also address federal debt and government spending, arguing for reducing waste instead of raising taxes. She highlighted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and warned its scheduled expiration would raise taxes unless Congress acts. ‘‘We have renewed energy and urgency behind efforts to modernize our government, eliminate waste and abuse, and restore fiscal responsibility,’’ she said.
The congresswoman described her federal priorities as encouraging domestic energy production, streamlining permitting, and promoting a business climate that retains and attracts high-skilled jobs. She noted that North Dakota has strengths across oil, gas, coal and wind that the state can use to support high‑energy industries.
Closing: Fedorchek thanked senators for their service and said she will ‘‘never stop fighting for North Dakota,’’ ending her remarks with a prayerful benediction.
Formal action: Senate leaders moved and the chamber voted to print Fedorchek’s address in the Senate journal; the motion was agreed and the address was ordered printed.
