Energy / Natural Resources Archives - Page 13 of 19

Daines Urges Forest Service to Restore Access on Public Lands

March 8, 2019

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter to the U.S. Forest Service demanding they reconsider proposed mountain bike closures in the Blue Joint and Sapphire Wilderness Study Areas on the Bitterroot National Forest in Montana. “With over $7 billion in consumer spending coming from Montana’s outdoor recreation economy, we should be encouraging adaptive management principles across the Agency that help U.S. Forest Service decision-makers manage different uses across various landscapes, not exclude them,” the letter states. “I am concerned this approach will foster additional closures in areas with historic use and that the greater recreation community will suffer

Senate Western Caucus Applauds Andrew Wheeler’s Confirmation as EPA Administrator

February 28, 2019

U.S. SENATE – Today, U.S. Senate Western Caucus Chairman Steve Daines (Mont.) and Caucus Members Senators Mike Rounds (S.D.), Jim Inhofe (Okla.), Pat Roberts (Kan.), John Boozman (Ark.), John Barrasso (Wyo.) celebrated the confirmation of Andrew Wheeler as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “Having worked with Administrator Wheeler both in Montana and DC, he takes a commonsense approach to solving issues important to Montana and other states,” Daines said. “I look forward to continuing to partner with Administrator Wheeler to protect our environment in Montana, finalize and clean up our superfund sites in Butte, Anaconda, Libby and other

Daines: Bipartisan Public Lands Package One Step Closer to Law

February 26, 2019

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today applauded the House passage of the bipartisan public lands package, which includes permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act. “This bipartisan public lands package is a historic win for conservation in Montana and across our nation, and after today, it’s one step closer to becoming law,” Daines said. “I’m very glad to see the House pass this important package to help protect our public lands for generations to come, and I look forward to President Trump signing it into law.”Download Audio of Statement

Forest Service Responds to Daines’ Demands to Expedite Salvage Projects

August 6, 2018

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released comprehensive data on recent forest salvage and restoration projects that have taken place due to Daines’ efforts and the efforts of local elected officials and forest collaboratives. The projects will help reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and create jobs for Montanans. “Last year’s wildfires were devastating for Montana’s communities and forests. Our state and towns were covered with smoke for weeks at a time, and our once flourishing forests turned into tinderboxes,” Daines said. “I’m thankful that the Forest Service has responded to my request – and the request of local communities – to complete

Daines: Democrats Blocking Funding for Water, Infrastructure Projects is Shameful

October 8, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today slammed Senate Democrats for blocking the FY2016 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill, which funds critical infrastructure projects administered by the Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation – including Montana rural water projects. “Despite the vast majority of Democrats supporting this bill during an Appropriations Committee vote this summer, once again Democrats have chosen to block legislation that protects Montanans’ interests and strengthens our national security through increased energy and water security,” Daines stated. “This legislation works to enhance our energy efficiency while funding important projects that modernize our nation’s energy and water infrastructure. It’s

Daines Welcomes Court Delay of WOTUS Regulations

August 27, 2015

U.S. SENATE – Senator Steve Daines released the following statement after a federal district court blocked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from implementing its new regulation broadly expanding the definition of the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule: “Today’s order is further proof that the EPA’s latest power grab is not only a direct threat to Montanans’ livelihoods, but to our Constitutional rights. This rule could have devastating impacts on Montana farmers and ranchers, our natural resource industries, Montanans’ property rights and Montana jobs. I’m thankful for Attorney General Tim Fox’s continued leadership on this critical issue and his

Daines Reiterates Call to End Fire Borrowing

August 6, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today reiterated his call for the federal government to end the practice of fire borrowing, following the U.S. Forest Service’s recent report on the rising cost of wildfire operations: “Montana has already experienced several high-intensity fires this year. The fire season thus far has been one of the worst in the past decade and has only made more evident the urgent need for a wildfire funding solution. It is critical that Congress end fire borrowing and ensure that the Forest Service can spend more of its budget on making our National Forests more resilient

Daines Blasts Obama’s So-Called Clean Power Plan

August 4, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today took to the Senate floor to blast President Obama’s plan to devastate Montana’s coal industry and the good-paying jobs it provides. Click here to download Daines’ remarks. Click here to watch Daines’ remarks. Daines made the following remarks on the Senate floor this morning: “Yesterday, President Obama and his Employment Prevention Agency continued to wage their war on American energy, American families and American jobs. “As President Obama was announcing his plan to devastate Montana’s coal industry and the good-paying jobs it provides, yet another coal company filed for bankruptcy. “At the same

Daines Slams Obama Admin’s Latest Anti-Energy Regulations

August 3, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today slammed the Obama administration’s newly released regulations as the latest step in Obama’s war on American energy and the thousands of jobs Montana’s energy industry supports: “The Obama administration’s war on American energy is a war on American families and a war on American jobs. The Obama administration’s so-called ‘Clean Power Plan’ not only would shutter our country’s coal-fired power plants, but also hinder tribes’ and states’ ability to develop their coal resources. “Just last month, the Supreme Court issued a severe rebuke of the Obama administration’s sweeping energy regulations, yet the Obama administration

Daines, Fischer Call for Field Hearing on PHMSA Reauthorization

July 31, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) have formally requested that the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hold a field hearing in Billings, Montana to discuss the reauthorization of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the agency’s efficacy in overseeing the transportation of hazardous materials. Before the hearing will be scheduled, the request must receive approval from the Commerce Committee Chairman and Ranking member. In a letter to Chairman John Thune (R-SD) and Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL), Daines and Fischer urged the Committee to convene a field hearing on PHMSA’s responsibility in ensuring

Tag: Energy / Natural Resources