Rick Perry invited to North Dakota, UND to see state's energy industry
Former Texas Governor Rick Perry exits after meeting with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at Trump Tower in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., November 21, 2016. REUTERS/Brendan McDermidGRAND FORKS — A visit to North Dakota and UND by former Texas Gov. Rick Perry is in the works.
President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for the United States energy secretary met with Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., Wednesday. Perry and Hoeven discussed North Dakota's involvement in the energy sector and "the importance of reducing the regulatory burden on the nation's job creators and empowering energy development," according to a news release from the senator's office.
Hoeven also invited Perry to North Dakota to see the state's energy industry and development. That could include work being done at the University of North Dakota's Energy and Environmental Research Center, according to the release.
Hoeven said the two worked together on energy issues when they were both governors. Hoeven was governor for North Dakota from 2000 to 2010 while Perry led Texas from 2000 to 2015.
"We have a good working relationship and believe in developing all of our nation's resources," Hoeven said in a statement. "Today, we have a true, all-of-the-above energy policy for our nation. Gov. Perry will be good for our nation and good for North Dakota."
A date has not been set for the North Dakota visit, but staff for the two men are working on details, said Don Canton, communications director for Hoeven.
Perry, who ran against Trump for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, dropped out of the race in September 2015, about 100 days after he launched his campaign. He later endorsed Trump for president, and the president-elect nominated Perry for the energy secretary job last month.
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee, a board Hoeven is a member of, will consider Perry's nomination in the coming weeks before going to the Senate floor for consideration.
