As a fifth-generation Montanan, I know the importance our state’s natural resources to our way of life. Natural Resources are an engine to our economy and to job creation. Our pristine glacial peaks and rivers, vibrant forests, wide-open spaces, and rich mineral and energy deposits earn beautiful Montana its name—the Treasure State.
As a member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, I will continue to work to preserve Montana’s way of life by encouraging responsible environmental stewardship as we continue to develop our natural resources.
In addition, I support an all-of-the-above approach to securing not just American energy independence, but American energy dominance. That includes alternative sources of energy—hydropower, wind, biomass, and solar—along with coal, oil, and natural gas. Montana will continue to lead the way through promoting exploration and sustained development of the Bakken oil shale, continuing to lead in domestic coal production, and expanding our renewable energy production. Montana is setting an example of how domestic energy development can be done in a responsible manner to reduce our dependence on foreign energy while sustaining our resources for generations to come.
ICYMI: Daines Joins Fox Business for Exclusive Interview at the Stillwater Mine
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined Fox Business at a Sibayne-Stillwater’s Columbus metallurgical complex,, where he met with miners and toured the operations. Daines touted President Trump’s recent anti-dumping duty to counter the flood of Russian palladium into American markets, which will help protect Montana mining jobs. Excerpt Grady Trimble: The Department of Commerce just implemented a preliminary tariff of around 133 percent on palladium from Russia. Russia’s imports [exports] to the U.S. have effectively stopped because of that and now the price of the precious metal has since recovered to levels that are sustainable for the company. Senator Steve
Daines Visits Stillwater Mine: “Thanks to President Trump, Montana Mining is Back”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today visited Sibanye-Stillwater’s Columbus metallurgical complex, where he met with miners and toured the operations. Daines touted President Trump’s recent anti-dumping duty to counter the flood of Russian palladium into American markets, which will help protect Montana mining jobs. “Montana mining is back. The Stillwater Mine is absolutely critical for Montana’s economy and for America’s national security, and I’m thrilled that President Trump has recognized its importance and is fighting to protect Montana jobs. Thank you to all the miners and employees at Stillwater- we can’t commend you enough for your hard work,” said Daines.
Daines Secures Commitments from BLM Nominee to Support Montana Priorities
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke with Steve Pearce, President Trump’s nominee to lead the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing. They discussed the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and forest management. Watch the full exchange HERE. Daines and Pearce discussed the importance of the LWCF: Daines: First of all, I want to give a heartfelt thanks to each of you and your willingness to serve in these very important roles. I truly look forward to working with each one of you once you are confirmed. Assistant Secretary Haustveit, it’s
In the News: Billings Gazette: Laid-off Stillwater miners could return as new federal tariffs hit Russian palladium
U.S. Senator Steve Daines spoke with the Billings Gazette about President Trump’s new anti-dumping duty that will protect American markets from Russian palladium dumping and help Montana’s Stillwater Mine. Read highlights below. Laid-off Stillwater miners could return as new federal tariffs hit Russian palladium Billings Gazette Alex Mitchell February 12th, 2026 Laid-off workers at Sibanye Stillwater mine could be closer to resuming work following a favorable investigation into allegations of an unfair market that was killing business at the mines… …The Department of Commerce publicly announced a planned implementation of a 132.8% tariff on Russian imports of palladium to counter
Daines Urges Colleagues To Support His Bill Improving Outdoor Recreation, Access to Montana Public Lands
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke with Jon Raby, the Nevada State Director for the Bureau of Land Management, and Christopher French, Associate Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, in a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing. They discussed his “Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act” to resolve Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) in Montana, improving access for recreation, wildlife management, and grazing. Watch the full exchange HERE. Daines’ opening remarks: Thank you, Chairman Barrasso and Ranking Member Cortez Masto, for holding this hearing. Included in today’s agenda is one of my bills, the Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act. As a fifth
Daines on Nonstop Local: Made-In-Montana Energy Is Back
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines joined Nonstop Local to discuss President Trump overturning President Biden’s anti-coal Miles City Resource Management Plan. Daines led the legislation President Trump signed into law. Watch the full interview HERE. Daines: Made-In-Montana energy is back. President Trump meant what he said when he campaigned and said we’ve got to bring back more Made-In-America energy. We just unlocked two million acres of eastern Montana land that the Biden administration at the 11th hour, as they were going out the door, locked it all up, preventing any new coal leases. This is bringing more Made-In-Montana energy. We need more
Daines, Downing Introduce Bill to Support Irrigation, Protect Montana Endangered Species
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Representative Troy Downing (MT-02) today introduced the “Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act.” The bill reaffirms that the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) retains exclusive ownership, operational control, and financial responsibility for the Lower Yellowstone fish bypass channel, built to support the recovery of the endangered pallid sturgeon. Daines’ bill provides critical protections for irrigators, ensuring that local communities are not unfairly charged for federal projects and are protected from bearing the costs of long-term conservation efforts. “Montana’s local communities should not be unfairly burdened by costly federal projects. I’m thrilled to work alongside Representative
Daines Urges Biden Administration to Withdraw Costly, Burdensome Mandate on Montana Firefighters, Sheriffs
U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) calling for the withdrawal of its Emergency Response Standard rule which would impose more than $14,000 in unfunded mandates on volunteer fire departments in Montana. Daines emphasized the immediate negative impacts this rule will have on fire and rescue operations in Montana. Daines wrote in the letter: “Montana’s vast rural and forested landscape provides unique challenges for the small volunteer and career fire departments who serve on the frontlines every day, and especially during wildfire season. These departments, despite facing an ever-growing list of challenges, always
Daines Pushes for Delisting of Grizzly Bear Population Five Months Past Review Deadline
DOI Assistant Secretary Thanks MT for Stewardship of Grizzlies, States the Grizzly Bear “Has Recovered” U.S. Senator Steve Daines today at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing pushed for the delisting of grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone and Northern Continental Divide Ecosystems and called out the delay in the delisting review, despite the two grizzly populations being well over the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s recovery targets. Current Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks and President Biden’s nominee for Department of the Interior (DOI) Deputy Secretary, Shannon Estenoz, agreed that the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem