Tag: Energy

Daines Calls on Senate to Take Up Rural Water Bills

WASHINGTON, D.C. —  Senator Steve Daines today reaffirmed his commitment to moving forward Montana rural water projects and called on the Senate to take up his bills to ensure the completion of authorized projects across Montana. During today’s Energy and Natural Resources hearing on western water legislation, Daines emphasized the challenges associated with inadequate water management in western communities, including many regions in Montana. “My bills would facilitate water delivery to over 23 million acres in Montana and millions more acres across the West for rural communities without good access to quality water supply today,” Daines stated. “If we are going to address

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

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 Applauds Passage of the National Defense Authorization Act

Senator Steve Daines today applauded the overwhelming bipartisan passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which provides critical support for the nation’s military and national security. “Montana is playing a critical role in meeting our nation’s security and military needs and this bill provides the support our men and women in uniform need to carry out their missions,” Daines stated. “The NDAA prioritizes the needs of our service members, while protecting the important role that Montana holds in our national defense. I urge President Obama to drop his veto threat and stand with Congress, the American people and our

Daines Calls for Passage of National Defense Authorization Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today took to the Senate floor to call on the Senate to swiftly pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes critical support for Montana’s military missions. Daines also called on Senate Democrats to stop blocking the Department of Defense Appropriations Act and fund the military.   Click here to watch Daines’ remarks. Click here to download Daines’ remarks. Daines made the following remarks on the Senate floor this afternoon: “Montana has a rich legacy of service to our country— from maintaining our nation’s ‘peace through strength’ strategy at Montana’s Malmstrom Air Force Base, where we oversee one-third of

Daines Rallies Senators in Support of LWCF Reauthorization

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today led a coalition of Senators in support of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), an important tool for increasing public access to public lands, on the Senate floor. Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Richard Burr (R-NC) joined Daines on the Senate floor to urge their House and Senate colleagues to reauthorize LWCF and not allow authorization to lapse. “We’re not going to let this conversation die. We’re going to continue to fight for the permanent reauthorization of LWCF. It is a tool for public access to ensure that Montanans

Daines Investigates Pipeline Safety, PHMSA Reauthorization at Montana Field Hearing

BILLINGS, Mont. — Senator Steve Daines today held a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation field hearing in Billings, Montana to discuss the upcoming reauthorization of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The hearing examined current issues and challenges relating to the inspection and safe management of the nation’s pipeline network, as well as the importance of safely transporting our natural resources through pipelines, highways and rail lines. Daines and witnesses also examined the upcoming reauthorization of PHMSA and its efficacy in overseeing and enforcing federal regulations in light of recent pipeline ruptures in eastern Montana. “I’m thankful that we were

Daines, 46 Additional Senators Introduce Resolution to Nullify Expanded WOTUS Definition

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines, along with 46 Senate cosponsors, today introduced a joint resolution disapproving the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) greatly expanded Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule, which directly threatens Montana agriculture and energy production, Montanans’ property rights and Montana jobs. The resolution would nullify the EPA’s WOTUS rule, which greatly expands the scope of federal authority over land and waterways in the United States under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. “The EPA’s latest power grab is a direct threat to Montanans’ livelihoods and must be stopped,” Daines stated. “This ill-conceived rule provides the EPA

Daines, Tester call for Senate hearing on East Rosebud Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester are urging the leaders of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to hold a hearing on their bill to designate East Rosebud Creek as Wild and Scenic. The Senators recently introduced the East Rosebud Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to protect 20 miles of East Rosebud Creek under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.  This designation will preserve the free-flowing condition of the pristine creek located south of Roscoe, Montana. “Homeowners organizations, ranchers, local businesses, and conservation groups have all come together to call for the protection of this special

Daines Welcomes Court Delay of WOTUS Regulations

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 Blasts Obama’s So-Called Clean Power Plan

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