Tag: Regulation

Daines Statement on AG Lawsuit to Rein in EPA Overreach

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on Montana Attorney General Tim Fox and 12 other states’ lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) over the new regulation broadly expanding the definition of the Waters of the United States rule (WOTUS). “I applaud Attorney General Tim Fox for standing up for Montana farmers, ranchers and small businesses against another egregious power grab by the Obama administration. This rule has the capability to cripple Montana agriculture and natural resources, hurt Montana jobs and threaten Montanans’ property rights.  As

Daines Statement on Utility Air Regulatory Group v. EPA et. al.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s ruling in Utility Air Regulatory Group v. EPA et. al.: “The Court took an important step today to help ensure the EPA takes into account the true cost of excessive regulations on the American people, their jobs and their livelihoods. This rule is just one of the numerous burdensome regulations the Obama administration has cooked up that has the potential to eliminate good paying jobs and devastate the livelihoods of hardworking American families. “But while today’s ruling is welcome news, Montanans have already seen the real

Daines Fights for Montana Transportation Priorities

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today helped move forward key provisions important to Montana transportation and public safety. Daines joined the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee today in moving forward the “Railroad Reform, Enhancement, and Efficiency Act,” which reauthorizes Amtrak services. Daines successfully included an amendment requiring Amtrak to evaluate options for establishing additional Amtrak stops that would have a positive financial impact to Amtrak, including a potential station in Culbertson, Montana. Daines’ amendment also requires evaluation of options to enhance economic development and accessibility of Amtrak stations and their surrounding areas. In the “Transportation, Housing and Urban

Daines Urges Commerce Committee to Hold Oversight Hearing on PHMSA

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines is calling on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee to hold an oversight hearing on the reauthorization of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). In a letter to Chairman John Thune (R-SD), Daines urged the Committee to convene a hearing on the reauthorization PHMSA to examine the federal government’s responsibility in ensuring safe and environmentally sound transportation of natural resources through America’s pipelines, railroads, highways, waterways and airspace. Daines’ calls come in light of the millions of miles of pipeline across Montana and the need to upgrade and better maintain failing pipelines.

Daines Statement on FCC Internet Access Power Grab

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today slammed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for voting to place more burdens on Internet access through their 317-page plan to regulate the Internet under Title II of the Federal Communications Act of 1934. “The Obama administration’s 317-page regulation is nothing short of a government takeover of the Internet and a power grab that will slap more red tape on Americans’ Internet access. Rather than working toward bipartisan solutions that create jobs and promote innovation, the President and his administration have forced through yet another short-sighted regulation that will likely increase costs for the

Daines Secures Extension of Federal and Indian Coal, Oil and Gas Valuation Regs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today announced that following his urging, the Department of Interior has extended the comment period for the Office of Natural Resource Revenue’s proposed rule to reform royalty valuation for coal, oil and gas. SNL Financial reports that “an appeal by western U.S. political leaders for more time to comment on new rules impacting the federal coal lease program was granted Feb. 12, allowing critics of the effort two additional months to make their case.” The Office of Natural Resources Revenue has announced that it will extend by 60 days the public comment period for

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 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