ND North News

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee convened to discuss the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer, Chair of the EPW Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, introduced North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong as a witness.

Senator Cramer praised Governor Armstrong for bringing a unique perspective from a rural state that produces more than it consumes. "Kelly brings that very important perspective from a rural state that produces a lot of things that we don’t consume in our own state," he said.

Cramer emphasized the importance of providing highway funds through a set formula, which he worked to maintain under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This approach ensures states have consistent funding to meet their needs.

During the hearing, Cramer addressed the challenge of funding transportation infrastructure, noting that revenue from the Highway Trust Fund is insufficient due to electric and hybrid vehicles contributing less than traditional vehicles. He highlighted registration fees for electric vehicles as one solution but noted there is no federal mechanism accounting for their use of roads.

"Every car, combustion or otherwise, is driving a lot more on that 18.3 cents that is being taken in," Cramer stated, emphasizing the need for fair contribution by all vehicle types.

He also stressed the importance of adequately funding the National Highway Trust Fund while protecting privacy and ensuring technology readiness for any new solutions.

In conclusion, Cramer sought recommendations from witnesses on accelerating infrastructure project delivery. He suggested enforceable deadlines in regulatory processes and limited expedited judicial review as potential solutions.

"You know, this is a really complicated topic, but I actually think the solutions are pretty simple," he remarked.

Cramer highlighted an opportunity to address infrastructure reform challenges without ideological conflicts common in other sectors like transmission or pipelines.