As a fifth-generation Montanan, I know the importance our state’s natural resources to our way of life. Natural Resources are an engine to our economy and to job creation. Our pristine glacial peaks and rivers, vibrant forests, wide-open spaces, and rich mineral and energy deposits earn beautiful Montana its name—the Treasure State.
As a member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, I will continue to work to preserve Montana’s way of life by encouraging responsible environmental stewardship as we continue to develop our natural resources.
In addition, I support an all-of-the-above approach to securing not just American energy independence, but American energy dominance. That includes alternative sources of energy—hydropower, wind, biomass, and solar—along with coal, oil, and natural gas. Montana will continue to lead the way through promoting exploration and sustained development of the Bakken oil shale, continuing to lead in domestic coal production, and expanding our renewable energy production. Montana is setting an example of how domestic energy development can be done in a responsible manner to reduce our dependence on foreign energy while sustaining our resources for generations to come.
Daines Supports Glendive’s Request for Assistance with Erosion on Yellowstone River
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter to Colonel Robert Neebauer, district commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Omaha District, in support of the City of Glendive’s request for assistance with severe bank erosion along the Yellowstone River. Excerpt of the letter below: “For over a decade, the Yellowstone River has been eroding the bank and is now threatening city infrastructure. Recently, Montana State University completed an analysis of the erosion and found that 10,740.08 m3 (14,047.49 yards3) of riverbank material was eroded and displaced between August 2019 and May 2023. This erosion has necessitated the relocation of water lines
Daines Slams Biden Administration’s War on Made-in-America Energy
Blames Senate Democrats for Paving the Way for Administration Rule that Will Increase the Price of Energy for Montanans To watch Daines’ remarks, click HERE. U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today delivered remarks at the weekly Republican Senate Leadership press conference highlighting the continued destruction of made-in-America energy by the Biden administration. Last week, the Department of Interior (DOI) proposed a rule that would increasethe cost of energy production. These costs would be passed on to consumers in Montana and across the country. It’s estimated that these new fees would amount to nearly $2 billion from now until 2031. “Not long after Vladimir Putin
Daines Slams Biden Administration for New Proposed Rule That Would Increase Cost of Domestic Energy Production
Every Senate Democrat Paved the Way for the Rule to Take Place U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after the Biden administration announced a new proposed rule that would drastically increase the cost of oil and gas production on public lands. “Since Day One President Biden has sent a clear message to Montana energy producers: this administration is coming for you. From shutting down lease sales to begging our adversaries for oil to this new rule that will raise rates for Montana oil and gas producers, the Biden administration is proving that they would rather bow to
Daines Calls for Passage of Largest Bipartisan Hydropower Permitting Reform Bill in Two Decades
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines, at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources subcommittee hearing, highlighted his bipartisan “Community and Hydropower Improvement Act” and called on the committee to pass his bill that would streamline the permitting and licensing process, boost hydropower in Montana and increase tribal engagement. Listen to Daines’ full remarks HERE. “The ‘Community and Hydropower Improvement Act’ streamlines permitting and licensing as well as increases tribal engagement. The bill creates an expedited licensing process for powering non-powered dams and building closed loop pumped storage. It limits the scope of environmental review and mitigation to real, on the ground and
What They Are Saying: Industry and Community Leaders Endorse Daines’ Bipartisan Hydropower Bill
U.S. SENATE – Since introducing the bipartisan “Community and Hydropower Improvement Act” that would streamline the permitting process for hydropower projects, increase tribal engagement and oversight, expedite low impact projects, promote healthy habitat and coordinate federal decision making, Daines has received an outpouring of support from key stakeholders. “In response to the threat posed by looming relicensing, the hydropower industry, environmental organizations, dam safety advocates, and tribal representatives, have negotiated a holistic licensing reform package that creates common ground to preserve and enhance the existing hydropower fleet while ensuring that environmental concerns are addressed, and the rights of tribal nations are respected. The
Daines Slams Biden Administration for Anti-Energy Regulations Devastating American Economy
Recent rules will rob the Navajo Nation of hundreds of millions of dollars, force Colstrip to shutdown To watch Daines’ remarks, click HERE. U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today delivered the following remarks at the weekly Republican Senate Leadership press conference slamming the Biden administration for continued attacks on made-in-America energy production. Earlier this month, President Biden’s Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Deb Haaland quietly issued a mineral withdrawal and prohibition of oil and gas development affecting Navajo tribal members. Daines also called attention to the recent rule from President Biden’s EPA that would shut down coal powered plants like Colstrip costing Montana hundreds of good-paying jobs and raising prices for families.
Daines Applauds SCOTUS Decision to Roll Back Government Overreach, Reaffirm Landowners’ Rights
U.S. SENATE – Senator Daines today released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to side with private property owners Michael and Chantell Sackett in Sackett vs. the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and narrow the scope of the federal government’s regulatory authority over “waters of the United States.” “Today the Supreme Court helped put Montana farmers and ranchers more in charge of the decisions about their own land, ripping it away from unelected Washington bureaucrats. Our farmers and ranchers feed the country and the world and should not have to fear an overbearing federal government making decisions about their land for
Major US power source facing extinction thanks to red tape, sparking calls for reform
Source: Fox News The nation’s top hydropower trade group and energy developers are raising the alarm on the burdensome regulatory process facing new and existing projects, warning a reliable source of electricity for millions is at risk. Hydropower — which supplies nearly 80,000 megawatts of the nation’s power, or 6.2% of total U.S. utility-scale electricity and 28.7% of total utility scale renewable electricity, according to federal data — remains a key part of the nation’s growing power grid, but stakeholders argue it faces regulatory hurdles far greater than those facing other carbon-free sources of electricity. “Our concern is that, without greater clarity on
Three Daines Priorities, Including the 9th Circuit Cottonwood Fix, Closer to Becoming Law
Daines’ “Root and Stem Act,” “Gateway Community Recreation and Enhancement Act” also pass out of Committee U.S. SENATE – Today, three of U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ priorities passed with unanimous bipartisan support out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Daines’ bill to fix the disastrous 9th Circuit Cottonwood decision, his bipartisan “Root and Stem Act” and his bipartisan “Gateway Community and Recreation Enhancement Act” are now one step closer to becoming law. 9th Circuit Cottonwood Fix: Daines’ bill to reverse the disastrous 9th Circuit Cottonwood decision will help increase active forest management by finally aligning consultation requirements in Montana and other states in the