Tag: Energy / Natural Resources

Daines Calls for Extended Review of New Federal and Indian Coal, Oil and Gas Valuation Regs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines has called on the Department of Interior to allow the state of Montana, Montana tribes, union members and business owners more time to provide input on the Office of Natural Resource Revenue’s proposed rule to reform royalty valuation for coal, oil and gas. Daines led more than a dozen Senate and House members in calling on Interior Secretary Sally Jewell to extend the comment deadline, as the proposed rule could have serious adverse impacts on domestic energy production and create uncertainty in the value of coal royalties that Montana and other states depend upon.

Daines Hails House Passage of Keystone XL Pipeline

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today applauded the House passage of the bipartisan Senate legislation that would approve the Keystone XL pipeline – clearing the way for the President to make a long-awaited decision on the job-creating project. “President Obama is out of excuses. It’s time for him to join the American people and approve construction of the Keystone XL pipeline,” Daines stated.“The Keystone pipeline will create new opportunities for good-paying jobs, energy independence, lower energy prices and millions of dollars in tax revenue for Montana counties. This project is good for national security and our global competitiveness. Montanans have been waiting

Daines Statement on Closing of Corette Power Plant

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement in response to PPL Montana’s announcement that it will permanently close the J.E. Corette coal-fired power plant in Billings, Montana. “Once again, good-paying American jobs are falling ruin to the Obama administration’s war on American energy. The closing of the Corette power plant isn’t just a blow to Montana’s economy – it’s devastating news to the Montana families who rely on the plant for a stable income,” Daines stated. “The EPA’s misguided agenda doesn’t just hurt Montana’s coal industry— it directly affects thousands of Montana families, union workers and

Daines Blasts Costly EPA Wood Stove Regs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today blasted the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new regulations on wood burning stoves as a direct threat to Montanans’ access to affordable energy. This afternoon, the EPA rolled out its final regulations on residential wood heaters, pellet stoves and other wood burning stoves. The new regulations are projected to have a $45.7 million annualized compliance cost, which could lead to higher costs or decreased access to stoves for Montana consumers. “The EPA’s shortsighted regulatory overreach is once again hitting hardworking Montanans in their pocketbooks,” Daines stated. “Thousands of Montanans rely on wood burning stoves

Daines Applauds Final Passage of Keystone XL Pipeline

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Senator Steve Daines today applauded the bipartisan Senate passage of legislation approving the Keystone XL pipeline by a vote of 62-36. This long-awaited legislation will create tens of thousands of good paying jobs, bring much needed economic opportunity to Montana and move the nation one step closer to North American energy independence. “Today, the Senate finally took long-awaited action and passed commonsense, pro-growth legislation to approve the Keystone XL pipeline. This job-creating project will increase economic opportunity in Montana – in turn, raising tax revenues to fund our schools and infrastructure while lowering energy costs for the hardworking

Daines’ Efforts to Stop Unilateral Monument Designations Draws Majority Support

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines’ fight to protect Montana from the Obama administration’s efforts to unilaterally designate new national monuments without local support today gained majority support on the Senate floor. Under a vote of 50-47, a majority of U.S. Senators today support Daines’ amendment expressing the sense of Congress that that all future National Monument designations should be subject to consultation with local governance and the approval of the Governor and legislature of states in which designation would occur. “I am encouraged that a majority of the Senate shares Montanans’ strong belief that the hardworking Americans most affected

Daines Works to Protect Montana From Catastrophic Wildfire

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines is working to ensure Montana has the resources needed to combat wildfires and invest in much-need fire prevention efforts. Daines joined Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) to introduce the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act, which overhauls federal wildfire policy, increases funding for prevention and ensures large forest fires are treated and funded as true natural disasters. “Montanans know firsthand the economic and physical damage caused by catastrophic wildfire – yet year after year, the federal government falls short in providing the funds needed to both treat and prevent these devastating fires,” Daines

Daines: Montanans’ Voices Must Be Heard in Monument Designations

Daines introduces amendment to help protect Montanans from Obama administration’s efforts to unilaterally designate new national monuments without local support WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines is fighting to protect Montana from the Obama administration’s efforts to unilaterally designate large swaths of land as national monuments, without securing local input and state support. Last night, Daines introduced an amendment to S.1, legislation to approve the Keystone XL pipeline, that would express the sense of Congress that all future national monument designations should be subject to consultation with local governance and the approval of the Governor and legislature of states in