U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today highlighted the critical role Colstrip Power Plant plays in all-of-the-above approach to meet energy demands. His remarks were made during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing about the importance of reliable and affordable energy during cold winters.
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During his opening remarks, Daines mentioned his plans to host his second Montana Energy Summit in Billings, Montana on May 30th and 31st. At the summit, attendees will discuss energy infrastructure and the good-paying jobs energy creates.
Excerpt from Daines’ prepared remarks:
“One critical piece of our energy infrastructure in Montana and across the Pacific Northwest is the Colstrip Power Plant—supports about 750 direct jobs and generates enough power for about 1.7 million homes and businesses across Montana and the Pacific Northwest. Through heavy-handed environmental regulation, litigation and some state policies the future of this plant is at risk.
“I understand that, while a lot of coal fired generation has retired in recent years, New England had to rely on its existing coal and oil fired generation for this winter event. And, as more states’ energy mixes are changing towards more renewable generation due to policies and so forth, I remain convinced that we must find ways to keep a diverse, all-of-the-above energy mix in this nation, especially during these times of peak load.”
Background:
On March 28, 2017, Montanans praised President Trump’s Energy Dominance Executive Order for protecting coal jobs.
On February 17, 2017, Daines wrote to EPA Administrator Pruitt about the importance of Colstrip.
On January 19, 2017, Daines questioned then-nominee for Secretary of the Department of Energy, Governor Rick Perry, on the importance of protecting the Colstrip Power Plant or risk the good-paying jobs, tax revenue, and grid security and reliability the plant provides. Daines later wrote to Perry urging his attention to the Plant.
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