Tag: Energy / Natural Resources

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines is calling on the Biden administration to reconsider its proposed blanket denial of Montana small refinery exemptions (SRE) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program as this runs counter to congressional intent under the Clean Air Act. “We are puzzled by the action EPA took in these proposals, including the unprecedented and drastic step to propose a blanket denial of all 65 outstanding small refinery hardship petitions at a time of increasing gasoline prices and several small refinery closures around the nation,” Daines wrote. “The current proposal neglects not only its own economic impacts, but negates

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester and Congressman Matt Rosendale today introduced a bill to authorize hydropower in the Bureau of Reclamation’s Sun River Project, including at the Gibson Dam.  “Hydropower provides safe, reliable, and affordable energy to Montanans across the state. The Sun River Project and GibsonDam have the potential to increase hydropower production and bring jobs and revenue to the community. This is a win-win and I look froward to this bill becoming law, so we can continue work on this critical project,” Daines said. “The Gibson Dam has needed an update for years, and this legislation will finally make it happen by cutting red tape and authorizing the project for

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined a bicameral letter calling on Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm to renew the National Coal Council (NCC) in order to continue supporting coal production in Montana.  “As global coal consumption is projected to increase, it is essential that the United States remains a leader in advancing coal and carbon related technologies. National Economic Council Director Brian Deese recently said, ‘The global nature of climate change also provides an opportunity for U.S. industry to help others meet their climate targets. We were once the arsenal of democracy for the world during World War II. We can again

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines, chair of the Senate Western Caucus, today unveiled a blueprint for responsible, effective conservation supporting Montana and the West. Daines’ “Western Conservation Principles” serves as an alternative to the Biden administration’s “30 by 30 initiative” and America the Beautiful report.  “Conservation is part of our Montana way of life—we know how to be good stewards of our lands,” Daines said. “I believe it’s a conservative principle to conserve. That’s why I’m pushing a new ‘Western Conservation Principles’ initiative that uses science-based, time-tested, locally-driven practices to bring about meaningful conservation outcomes, unlike President Biden’s vague 30×30 initiative.”  Daines released the “Western Conservation Principles” with

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today urged the Biden administration to support Montana farmers and ranchers by maintaining the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR). In a letter to top officials at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Daines highlighted concerns with the 2015 Waters of the United States rule (WOTUS) and demanded that the Biden administration answer important questions surrounding the vague process of revisiting the NWPR.  “We write to you today greatly dismayed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ decision to remand the 2020 Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR), which finally provided certainty and

U.S. SENATE – Last week, 13 conservation groups from across the nation expressed their support for Senator Steve Daines’ bipartisan “Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act.” Daines’ bill will stop abusive syndicated conservation easements, save taxpayers billions of dollars and promote conservation in the United States. The groups include: Land Trust Alliance, Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy, the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, American Society of Appraisers, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Appraisal Institute, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Partnership of Rangeland Trusts, Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, The Conservation Fund, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and The Trust for Public Land. To view the letter text,