Daines Calls on Secretary Jewell to Lift Moratorium on Coal Leasing
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to Interior Secretary Sally Jewell calling on the Department of the Interior (DOI) to suspend its review of the federal coal program and its moratorium on new coal-lease sales. In the letter, Daines expresses concern over a recent report titled, “The Economics of Coal Leasing on Federal Lands: Ensuring a Fair Return to Taxpayers,” published by the President’s Council of Economic Advisers on June 22, 2016. Daines explains that by publishing this report, the White House has short-circuited DOI’s ongoing review of the coal program in violation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Under federal
KGVO: Senator Steve Daines Urges Senator Jon Tester to Protect Colstrip
After an announcement that Colstrip units 1 and 2 will be shut down over the next six years due to a legal settlement over an environmental lawsuit, Montana Senator Steve Daines is criticizing President Obama, “fringe environmental groups,” and fellow Montana Senator Jon Tester for over what he describes as “a step backwards” for Colstrip. “We have voted several times here on legislation to move forward to stop the president’s Clean Power Plan, to stop whats going on at the EPA,” Daines said. “Harry Reid and the democrats have… it requires 60 votes to get something past the senate… we
Daines: Senate Democrats Disregard for Troops is Deplorable
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today called on Senate Democrats to stop blocking legislation that funds the military and supports Montana’s military missions. Earlier today, Senate Democrats blocked consideration of the FY2017 Defense Appropriations Bill. This legislation passed unanimously out of the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations on May 26, 2016 with not one Democrat voting in opposition. “To say our troops won’t get a paycheck unless we increase funding for bloated government programs like the IRS is an affront to the hardworking men and women who are fighting ISIS and putting their lives on the line everyday to protect our
Daines Applauds Passage of Legislation to Combat Opioid Epidemic
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today applauded passage of the bipartisan Comprehensive Addiction & Recovery Act (CARA) conference report, which works to combat the epidemic of opioid addiction. “We must ensure that Montanans dealing with drug abuse and addiction have resources they need to get necessary treatment and care close to home,” Daines stated. “This bill provides needed resources for our healthcare providers, emergency responders and treatment courts to help treat and stop this epidemic.” “Prescription drug abuse is a national epidemic that destroys lives, shatters families, and harms our communities,” said Montana Attorney General Tim Fox. “I applaud the passage of this
Montana Congressional Delegation Introduces Bill to Designate Alex Diekmann Peak
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester and U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke today introduced legislation to honor the life of renowned Montana conservationist, Alex Diekmann by naming an unnamed peak in his memory. The delegation’s bill will name an unnamed 9,765-foot peak as “Alex Diekmann Peak”. It is located 2.2 miles west-northwest of Finger Mountain on the western boundary of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness, Montana (UTM coordinates Zone 12, 457966 E., 4982589 N.). “As someone who went from kindergarten through college in Bozeman, I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate Alex’s life and memory than by
Bozeman Daily Chronicle: Bill to name Diekmann peak introduced
Montana’s congressional delegation has introduced a bill to name a Madison range peak after a Bozeman conservationist who died earlier this year. The bill, which was introduced on Wednesday, would name an unnamed peak in the Madison range after Alex Diekmann. Diekmann was a project manager for the Trust for Public Land for 16 years and worked on more than 55 projects that encompassed more than 100,000 acres. The 52-year-old died of cancer earlier this year. A groundswell of conservation groups and local governments began pushing for naming a peak after Diekmann not long after his death. Naming peaks after
Daines Applauds Passage of FAA Reauthorization
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today helped pass critical legislation that will improve Montana air travel for passengers, pilots and the aviation industry. The U.S. Senate today passed Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) extension through September 30, 2017 with a vote of 89-4. The House of Representatives unanimously passed this legislation on July 11, 2016. “This FAA reauthorization maintains Montana’s critical aviation infrastructure and access to affordable travel for hardworking Montana families,” Daines stated. “This bill continues to strengthen security and protect travelers at airports across the country.” Daines secured the following provisions in the FAA reauthorization: Eastern Montana: Maintains Essential Air Service
Daines Rural Water Bill Clears Energy Committee
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ bill that moves Montana rural water projects forward and ensures the completion of authorized projects across Montana today cleared the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The Western Water Supply and Planning Enhancement Act is a bill that would help improve the efficiency of existing water supply infrastructure, ease the regulatory burden on new projects and protect water rights that are critical to the prosperity of the western United States. The bill also accelerates implementation of Montana driven forest management projects that enhance watersheds and reduce the risk of wildfires. This is critical for
Tester, Daines Push East Rosebud Bill to Senate Floor
Senators’ Bill Designates Montana Creek as “Wild and Scenic” (U.S. Senate) – Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines’ bill to designate portions of the East Rosebud Creek as Wild and Scenic has cleared the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and now heads to the Senate floor. The Senators’ bill will preserve 20 miles of creek originating in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness and flowing out to the prairie where it joins the Yellowstone River just west of Columbus, Montana. “East Rosebud Creek will take your breath away, it’s just one of those indescribable places,” said Tester. “From the Cutthroat Trout to the