U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke with David Eisner, nominee to be Assistant Secretary of Energy for International Affairs, and Lanny Erdos, nominee to be Director of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, in a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing. They discussed Montana’s energy priorities, including support for mining and ending unfair trade practices related to the Stillwater Mine and the Montana-Alberta transmission Tie Line.
Watch the full exchange HERE.
Daines praised the Trump administration’s support of Montana coal mines:
Daines: Congratulations to the nominees for considering these important roles. I also want to invite each of you to come visit Montana. The rest of the world’s coming to see us, you might as well join the rest of the world and enjoy the great outdoors we have there in our great state. Mr. Erdos, in 2020, you were reported out of this committee unanimously. And similarly, confirmed by the Senate by voice vote. It’s our aspiration goal, we can do it again this time around. Unfortunately, under the Biden administration, the Office of Surface Mining refused to grant permits for three Montana coal mines. Thankfully, the Trump administration has reversed course and has now approved the Bull Mountains Mine Permit and the Spring Creek Mine Permit, and we expect to have a permit for the Rosebud Coal Mine very soon. Further on the 4th of July, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill into law that specifically authorized coal mining at the Bull Mountains Mine. I want to thank the chairman of the committee for fighting for that important outcome and win in that piece of legislation. This was a big win for a lot of hardworking folks in Montana and for these rural Montana communities that don’t have the elaborate lifestyle you see on the show Yellowstone. More of Montana is struggling day in and day out to pay the bills every month. Mr. Erdos, when confirmed, will you prioritize reviewing and completing mining permits and implementing the new coal provision signed into law in the Big Beautiful Bill?
Erdos: Yes, certainly, Senator.
Daines and Erdos discussed mine reclamation laws:
Daines: Mr. Erdos, Montana recently passed House Bill 587 to update our mine reclamation laws. It’s my understanding the Office of Surface Mining now needs to approve those updates and that mines in Montana need that approval immediately. Will you ensure these approvals aren’t held up by bureaucracy and are issued without delay?
Eisner: Absolutely, yes.
Daines brought up the need to end Russian mineral dumping:
Daines: Mr. Eisner, as Assistant Secretary for International Affairs, your role will be to advocate U.S. energy dominance around the globe. We have a very important mine in Montana called the Stillwater Mine. It’s one of the only primary producers of platinum and palladium in the United States. In fact, it is on a very short list of a few around the world that do such. We’ve already lost hundreds of jobs because of Russian dumping. We must reverse this course. Mr. Eisner, when confirmed, will you advocate for the Stillwater Mine and their employees? Some 700 employees were laid off recently, and work with your colleagues throughout the administration to take action against unfair Russian trade practices?
Eisner: Thank you for that question, Senator Daines. I feel that one of my primary responsibilities as the Assistant Secretary for International Affairs will be to advocate for American energy and American critical minerals, both in bilateral as well as multilateral organizations.
Daines explained unfair trade practices on the MT-Alberta Tie Line:
Daines: I want to bring up…the Montana-Alberta tie line. It’s a vital interconnector that allows for energy exports into the Canadian marketplace. Unfortunately, Alberta has levied a number of rules and regulations that discriminate against Montana electricity producers and ultimately undermine the stability of our grid. As you know, managing a grid is very, very dynamic and very important. You have maximum flexibility and this is a problem. When confirmed, would you commit to working with the relevant agency partners to ensure that our Montana energy producers operate on a level playing field in the Canadian markets?
Eisner: Senator, as you know, a centerpiece of the president’s economic agenda is the creation of a level playing field for U.S. exports around the world.
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Contact: Matt Lloyd, Gabby Wiggins