This August, we recognize Rep. Julie Fedorchak (R-N.D.) as our CRESponsible Leader of the Month.
Representing North Dakota’s at-large congressional district, Rep. Fedorchak brings 12 years of firsthand experience in energy regulation, infrastructure permitting and utility policy from her time on the North Dakota Public Service Commission, where she helped ensure some of the lowest electricity rates in the nation and permitted more than $15 billion in energy infrastructure projects. Now serving on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Fedorchak is translating that state-level policy expertise into meaningful federal action for American energy.
As electricity demand grows at the fastest pace in decades, Rep. Fedorchak has made grid modernization a top priority. Her High-Capacity Grid Act (H.R. 6633) establishes a best-available conductor standard for new interstate transmission lines and major upgrades, incentivizing advanced conductors that expand grid capacity using existing rights-of-way without the cost and time of building new corridors. As new manufacturing facilities, data centers and AI infrastructure continue to come online, this kind of practical grid investment is essential to keeping American energy reliable and affordable.
Rep. Fedorchak is also a strong advocate for protecting American families and small businesses from rising electricity costs. She supported the bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act (H.R. 9340), which passed the Energy and Commerce Committee 52-0, reinforcing a straightforward principle: new large loads should pay for the grid investments built to serve them, not the households and small businesses already on the system. North Dakota is already proving this model works, delivering more than $30 million in savings for customers, and Rep. Fedorchak is fighting to bring that approach to the national stage.
Rep. Fedorchak is a consistent advocate for the all-of-the-above energy strategy America needs to meet surging demand. Through her work to modernize the grid, protect ratepayers and advance practical energy solutions, Rep. Fedorchak showcases the kind of experience and results-driven leadership that Congress needs.
We are proud to name Rep. Fedorchak as our CRESponsible Leader of the Month for August.