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Tag: Energy / Natural Resources

Daines Secures Over $700,000 for Montana State Fire Chiefs’ Association

August 19, 2020

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will be directing $710,000 for the Montana State Fire Chiefs’ Association to assist in the recruitment and retention of fire personnel. “This critical funding will ensure that Montana fire departments have the resources needed to recruit and retain firefighters to keep our communities safe,” Daines said. “I’m glad to have worked to secure this funding and I will continue working to ensure our brave firefighters have the support they need.” Daines voted to secure funding for this effort through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and

Daines Hosts Roundtable Discussion on Bipartisan Forestry Bill at Flathead National Forest

August 17, 2020

KALISPELL, MONTANA – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today hosted a roundtable discussion with local Montana leaders, conservation groups, leaders in the timber industry, and fire officials on his bipartisan forest management reform bill at Flathead National Forest. Daines’ bipartisan bill will create good paying timber jobs, reduce frivolous litigation, protect air and water quality, and wildlife habitats, and reduce the risk of wildfire in at-risk communities. Daines’ bill is also critical during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic because wildfires could make conditions worse for Montanans with health risks and respiratory illnesses and wildland firefighters are at a greater risk than usual. To

Daines Introduces Major Bipartisan Forest Management Reform Bill

August 5, 2020

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) today introduced major, bipartisan forest management reform legislation. The bipartisan bill increases active management of federal forests, cuts red tape, reduced frivolous litigation and gives the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) the tools to protect communities from deadly wildfires.    “I am very happy to join Senator Feinstein in introducing this strong, commonsense forest management legislation,” Daines said. “This bill will speed up urgently needed projects to reduce wildfire risks, create good paying jobs in the forestry sector, and protect public health and safety. I look forward to working closely with

Daines Brings EPA Administrator Wheeler to Montana, Tour Kalispell Brownfield Sites

July 24, 2020

KALISPELL, MT – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today brought U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler to Kalispell to visit multiple Brownfield sites including Glacier Rail Park, the former CHS Country Store, the CHS Agronomy Center, and SunRift Restaurant. Daines secured funding for cleanup of the contaminated sites which allowed for redevelopment of the areas boosting the local economy and supporting jobs.   To download the Senator’s full statement, click HERE  “It’s great to have Administrator Wheeler here from the EPA, who came from Washington, D.C. out to Montana to see an example of what we can do with

Daines Introduces Bill to Cut Red Tape to Improve Forest Health, Support Critical Timber Jobs

June 25, 2020

U.S. SENATE – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced a bill that will address the challenges stemming from the Cottonwood decision that created a new standard for re-consultation on Forest Plans when ‘new information’ is made available. The bill will improve the health of forests, advance wildlife and restoration projects, reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires and support timber jobs. “Even the Obama Administration agreed that the Cottonwood decision was flawed and crippled forest management. This law has tied the hands of our land managers, prevented them from following the best available science in management decisions, and diverted resources for an paperwork exercise yielding

Daines Successfully Secures Two Year Extension for Montana Timber Contracts During the Coronavirus Pandemic

April 15, 2020

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be providing all timber sale contract holders with a two-year extension. This follows Daines’ direct request to USDA Secretary Perdue for relief for the wood products industry, including the two-year extension for those with timber sale contracts to provide stability during the pandemic. “It’s critical we protect Montana timber jobs and industry during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic,” Daines said. “Active forest management not only supports good paying jobs but it protects our communities from the threat of wildfires and improves the conditions of

Daines Statement on NorthWestern Energy’s Planned Investment in Colstrip

December 10, 2019

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement in response to NorthWestern Energy’s plan to invest in Colstrip.   “NorthWestern Energy’s plan to invest in Colstrip is good news for the Colstrip community and all of Montana,” Daines said. “The power coming out of Colstrip is essential to Montanans’ access to more low-cost, reliable energy. NorthWestern’s increased ownership in Unit 4 will ensure affordable rates for their customers and a strong partnership with the Colstrip community. I will continue working with folks in Colstrip and Rosebud County to ensure Colstrip, and Montana’s energy portfolio, remains strong.” Daines has been

Daines’ Montana Water Bills Move to Senate Floor for a Vote

September 25, 2019

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today secured passage of two critical bills with direct impacts to Montana communities, the Clean Water for Rural Communities Act and a bill (S.1882) to allow Sidney Water Users Irrigation District and Kinsey Irrigation Company to continue receiving Pick-Sloan power out of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. As a member of the Committee, Daines was instrumental in moving them through the legislative process.   To download the full video, click HERE. “Clean, reliable drinking water is one of the most basic needs of life yet many of our rural communities

Daines, Gianforte Secure Feasibility Study for Silver Bow Creek Restoration and Cleanup

September 4, 2019

U.S. CONGRESS – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Greg Gianforte today announced that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) intends to award a $50,000 grant to conduct a feasibility study of a complete and restored Silver Bow Creek. The news follows Daines’ and Gianforte’s request to find a concrete path forward for restoration. “Montanans have been waiting for far too long on cleanup of the Silver Bow Creek,” Daines said. “I’m very glad to see the EPA respond to my request to find a path forward for the feasibility study and this funding will help get it done. This is

Daines Applauds EPA’s Proposal That Will Lead to More High Paying Montana Jobs

August 9, 2019

U.S. SENATE– Today, U.S. Senator Steve applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposal regarding the water quality certification process. The proposal would reform implementation of the water quality certification process under section 401 of the Clean Water Act. “This is great news for Montana’s energy economy,” Daines said. “Today’s announcement will help stop activist bureaucrats from abusing the law to limit the potential of Montana’s booming energy economy. Common sense regulation will lead to more high paying jobs for Montanans and strengthen our nation’s energy independence.” EPA’s issuance of proposed regulations is the agency’s next step to implement President Trump’s