Economy Archives - Page 6 of 8 - Senator Steve Daines

Missoulian: Study: EPA’s Clean Power Plan could lead to closure of Colstrip plants

November 21, 2015

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan, if enacted, could lead to the closure of the four-unit power-generating station in Colstrip, according to a study released last week by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana. “If you look at the emissions of Colstrip and the amount of tonnages that Montana has to eliminate, it does not mathematically show that Colstrip has to go. But it clearly indicates that it’s going to affect Colstrip in some way,” said Patrick Barkey, BBER’s director and the lead author of the report. The EPA released the final rule for

Daines Helps Move Forward Key Legislation to Reauthorize LWCF, Expand Access to Public Lands

November 19, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today helped move forward critical bipartisan solutions to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and protect and preserve Montana’s outdoors heritage. The Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015 passed out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee this morning on a large bipartisan vote. This bill promotes and protects access to Montana’s public lands and increases recreational opportunities for hunters and anglers. Additionally, the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015 would shine a light on how the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) payments are empowering obstructionists who frequently litigate forest management projects in Montana and the

Daines, Capito, King Call on FCC to Increase Transparency, Enforcement for Rural Broadband Funding

November 18, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Angus King (I-ME) today urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to consider strict enforcement measures and increase transparency for the recently announced Connect America Fund funding. The FCC recently announced more than $1.5 billion in annual funding as part of the second phase of the Connect America Fund to expand and support broadband service in rural areas. “We believe strict enforcement measures, coupled with transparency around how, where, and when the funds are used are necessary to ensure the integrity of the [Connect America Fund] program and the success

Daines: UM BBER Report Reaffirms Devastating Impact of Obama’s War on Affordable Energy

November 18, 2015

Announces telephone townhall to discuss alarming UM report, Daines’ efforts to block anti-coal regulations WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today called a new report on the impact of President Obama’s anti-coal regulations “devastating for Montana” and announced that he will hold a telephone townhall meeting this evening to discuss the alarming report with Montanans. The University of Montana (UM) Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) today released a study on the economic implications of implementing the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Power Plan in Montana. The study shows that the EPA’s new regulations will likely lead to the full

Montana Congressional Delegation Secures Reversal of India Restrictions on Pulse Exports

November 3, 2015

Following pressure from Montana Senator Steve Daines, Senator Jon Tester and Congressman Ryan Zinke, India has reversed its regulatory restrictions on pulse crop stock limits – clearing the way for exports of Montana pulse crops to India to resume. India’s policy reversal follows a letter sent last week by the Montana delegation urging the resolution of issues surrounding India’s recent regulatory changes that would have negatively affected Montana pulse producers’ ability to export peas, lentils and chickpeas to Indian markets. “The Indian government’s reversal of these regulatory restrictions is welcome news for Montana pulse farmers whose livelihoods depend on reliable

Montana Congressional Delegation Works to Remove Trade Barriers for Montana Pulse Producers

October 28, 2015

Senator Steve Daines, Senator Jon Tester and Congressman Ryan Zinke are actively working to resolve regulatory barriers that threaten Montana pulse crop producers’ access to international markets. The Montana Congressional delegation sent a letter urging Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Department of Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker to resolve issues surrounding India’s recent regulatory changes that will negatively affect Montana pulse producers’ ability to export peas, lentils and chickpeas to Indian markets. The delegation is working to preempt the economic hardships that pulse producers may face as a result of reduced access to critical markets abroad. “Montana produces more

Daines Fights to Protect Montana Coal Jobs

October 27, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today went to bat for Montana coal jobs by formally introducing measures to block implementation of new rules on coal-fired power plants and calling the Obama administration’s myriad of anti-coal regulations a direct attack on Montana energy. This afternoon, Daines and 48 other Senators introduced two bipartisan resolutions disapproving of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed Clean Power Plan regulations on new and existing power sources. The Congressional Review Act resolutions of disapproval will block the Obama administration’s regulations on new and existing coal-fired power plants. Daines joined a bipartisan group of his colleagues including, Majority

Tester, Daines, and Zinke meet with Canadian ambassador regarding timber concerns

October 21, 2015

Montana delegation calls for new Softwood Lumber Agreement (U.S. Senate) – Senator Jon Tester, Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Ryan Zinke are working together with Montana’s neighbor to the north to ensure the state’s lumber mills are treated fairly. Montana’s Congressional delegation today sat down with Canadian Ambassador Gary Doer to urge him to begin negotiating a new Softwood Lumber Agreement. The agreement expired on October 12 and is creating uncertainty for mills in Montana and across the country. The delegation requested that the Canadians come to the table to hammer out a deal to avoid future litigation and take

Daines, Klobuchar, Gardner Introduce Legislation to Expand Broadband Infrastructure

October 8, 2015

Legislation would increase broadband deployment by cutting red tape for companies, states, and local governments that want to install broadband infrastructure on federal land and promotes the simultaneous installation of underground broadband conduit during the construction of federal transportation projects Yesterday the president of the Wireless Infrastructure Association announced his support for this important legislation at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) have introduced bipartisan legislation to expand broadband infrastructure. The Streamlining and Investing in Broadband Infrastructure Act would increase broadband deployment by cutting red tape for companies, states, and

Daines Statement on Department of Interior’s Sage Grouse Announcement

September 22, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on the Department of the Interior’s sage grouse announcement: “While it is good news that the sage grouse is not listed as an endangered species, I remain concerned that the Obama administration’s land-use plans will have a harmful impact on Montana’s economy, our land users and Montanans’ way of life. The fact remains, sage grouse numbers have increased in the west by nearly two-thirds since 2013. Montana needs to continue take the lead on sage grouse conservation and I hope BLM can revise their plans to allow Montana to do so. Because a sage

Tag: Economy