Senator Cramer Seeks Defense Funding for North Dakota Refinery

The lawmaker is pushing for Defense Production Act support to advance construction of the fully permitted Davis refinery.

Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Oil and Gas

Senator Cramer Seeks Defense Funding for North Dakota Refinery

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Should the federal government provide direct funding to help private energy projects secure financing?

Senator Kevin Cramer is calling for the use of the Defense Production Act to provide capital for the Davis refinery in Western North Dakota. He argues that boosting domestic refining capacity is essential for national security and energy independence.

Why it matters

The project seeks to address the lack of new refinery construction in the United States over recent decades. Supporters believe federal investment tools can help projects overcome the financing hurdles and regulatory delays that currently stall infrastructure development.

Building a new refinery typically requires 10 years for siting and permitting, with legal challenges often extending project timelines by another 10 to 20 years. Only 30 percent of the oil refined in the United States is currently domestic oil.

The players

Kevin Cramer

A U.S. Senator representing North Dakota who is advocating for the Davis refinery project.

Davis refinery

A fully permitted, proposed oil refinery project located in Western North Dakota seeking federal funding.

The details

The Davis refinery is already fully permitted, yet it continues to seek capital for construction amid a challenging environment for new energy facilities. Lawmakers are also debating broader permitting reform aimed at expediting judicial reviews and shortening approval processes for similar projects.

2015: Legislation was passed to lift the crude oil export ban.
October 24, 2026: Senator Kevin Cramer discussed the refinery funding proposal.

Market Landscape

The proposal leverages the Defense Production Act to elevate energy independence to a national security priority. This strategy marks a departure from traditional private-market infrastructure development by seeking government intervention to bypass common financing and regulatory barriers.

Residents and businesses in North Dakota may see economic impacts from the job creation and construction activity if the refinery secures funding. The effort also highlights ongoing federal debates regarding energy costs and the speed of infrastructure projects across the region.

The takeaway

Advocates argue that utilizing federal funding tools for energy infrastructure could significantly alter the timeline for domestic refinery construction. For investors and energy stakeholders, the outcome may signal a shift in how major infrastructure projects navigate environmental and legal hurdles.