U.S. Senator Steve Daines, R-Montana, met last week with President-elect Donald J. Trump’s designee for the U.S. Department of Energy, Rick Perry.
“After speaking with Governor Perry, I have confidence that he will work to restore the balance between fossil fuel and renewable energy investments and regulation, a balance that has been lacking in President Obama’s Energy Department,” Daines stated. “Governor Perry will work to make our nation energy secure.”
During the meeting, Daines invited Perry to Colstrip and the Crow Reservation and commended his attention to a letter from Lori Shaw, co-founder of Colstrip United, a grassroots citizens’ group to President-elect Trump imploring his attention to Colstrip.
“I’d like to thank Senator Daines for calling attention to the issues facing Montana’s coal industry and the thousands of families that depend on it,” Shaw stated. “I want to thank him for actively standing up for Colstrip.”
Mayor John Williams, Colstrip: “I appreciate that Senator Daines is bringing the situation in Colstrip to the forefront of our national energy discussion. It’s extremely important for Colstrip to continue to play a role not only in our state but in the Pacific Northwest. Colstrip provides for the needs of Montana and the region, and it makes good things happen in our communities. We in Colstrip recognize the value of our community and the value of what we do for others. We enjoy a great quality of life as a result of the development of Coal, and Montana also enjoys many benefits from our community. What happens in Colstrip will have an impact all across our state.”
Daines is a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, which has jurisdiction for the Department of Energy including nominations subject to Senate confirmation.