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.
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
Daines to DOI Secretary Haaland: It’s time to Delist the Grizzly Bear
Haaland Agrees Grizzlies Have Recovered but Refuses to Commit to Working with Daines Toward Delisting U.S. SENATE—U.S. Senator Steve Daines today at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources hearing pressed Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland on committing to follow the science, complete the review in twelve months, and delist grizzly bears where they have exceeded recovery numbers in the region. Watch the exchange HERE. Senator Daines: Grizzly bears have now exceeded, exceeded recovery targets in both the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem, and bear numbers are well over the objectives set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Grizzlies are ranging farther off the Rocky
Daines Criticizes Biden Chief Economist Nominee Claims that Administration has “Top Track Record” on Energy Production
U.S. SENATE – Senator Steve Daines (R-MT), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, today criticized Jared Bernstein, nominee to be Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, for his claim at the administration has a “top track record” on domestic energy production. Under questioning from Daines about the unsustainability of the administration’s climate policies. Bernstein claimed the administration is in pro-oil and pro-natural gas, a claim that Daines said was “laughable.” Click HERE to watch the exchange. Senator Daines: “Thank you. I been watching this hearing today, was just curious coming back about the Keystone Pipeline Dr. Bernstein. You refuse to say whether you recommend shutting down the Keystone pipeline
OP-ED: Canary in a coal mine
Over the past two years, Montanans watched the President’s attack on oil, coal and natural gas bring our nation to the brink of an all-out energy emergency. Gas prices rose to more than $5 a gallon and many Montanans are worried about how to heat their homes without breaking the bank. We aren’t the only country grappling with the effects of a leader who is unrealistic about our nation’s domestic energy needs. Over the course of the last decade, Europe tirelessly pursued a green agenda with the goal of being “climate-neutral” with “net-zero greenhouse gas emissions” by 2050. The results
Daines, Zinke, Rosendale Urge Biden Admin to Appeal Anti-American Energy Ruling
(U.S. Congress) — Today U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Congressmen Ryan Zinke and Matt Rosendale sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland urging her to appeal the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals’ recent ruling that undermines Made-in-Montana energy and Montana jobs. “On February 10, 2023, the Montana District Court ruled against a long-standing Environmental Assessment which authorized Signal Peak Energy to mine federal, leased coal at the Bull Mountains Mine near Roundup, MT. If this ruling is not appealed and ultimately reversed, it will jeopardize high-paying local jobs, lead to economic harm in Montana and lost federal royalties, as well as further
Daines Talks Twitter Censorship as well as Biden and Senate Democrats’ Woke Energy Policies on Fox Business’ Varney & Co
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator Steve Daines appeared on Fox Business’ Varney & Co today to talk about being censored on Twitter and react to President Biden’s comments on energy policy at the State of the Union Address last night. Daines on Twitter Censorship “We were notified, without out any prior warning that we’re going to have our Twitter account shut down and censored Monday night about 11 p.m. By the way, I put that picture up on my profile back in early January and without any warning, we were shut down on Monday night. In fact, the message we got and I’m reading it from the Twitter policy
Daines renews push for reversal of Cottonwood decision
Source: Bozeman Daily Chronicle Montana’s Republican U.S. senator is leading a bipartisan effort to compel the Biden administration to reverse precedent set in a 2015 federal court decision over critical habitat for Canada lynx. A bipartisan group of lawmakers, led by U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, on Tuesday sent a letter to the Biden administration asking for a full and permanent reversal to requirements established in the 2015 Cottonwood decision. Daines is calling for the change about a month after the 117th Congress ended its session without passing a bill to reverse the court case’s precedent. The legislation passed out of the
Daines Protects Critical American Energy Reserves
Legislation Would Prohibit Biden Administration from Further Draining Strategic Petroleum Reserve U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines helped introduce a bill to prohibit the Biden administration from further draining the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) for reasons other than a severe energy supply interruption until the administration releases a plan to increase oil and gas production on federal lands and waters. “Since Day One, Biden and the Democrats have been determined to shut down Made in Montana and Made in America energy – from cancelling the Keystone XL pipeline, to tacking a $25 billion tax on American-made energy, to draining the strategic petroleum reserve,” Daines said. “Enough is enough. My
Daines Statement on Northwestern Announcement on Colstrip Power Plants
U.S. SENATE – Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement applauding Northwestern Energy’s announcement that it will acquire Avista’s share inColstrip’s units 3 and 4 which will help support Montana energy jobs. “The Colstrip power plant supports reliable, high-paying jobs while also contributing to Montana’s all-of-the-above energy portfolio,” Daines said.“This is great news for made in Montana energy, Montana jobs, American energy dominance and our national security.” Daines shared a video highlighting the important work Colstrip does to power Montana in honor of the announcement. Daines has been a strong supporter of Colstrip and Montana energy production. To see more of his work, click HERE.