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, Risch: Biden Administration Report Admits Cancelling Keystone XL Pipeline Killed Thousands of Jobs, Cost Billions
U.S. SENATE – Senators Steve Daines (Mont.) and Jim Risch (Idaho) today issued the following statements in response to the Biden administration releasing a past-due report demanded by the two senators and required by law that had the administration give a detailed account of the effects of its decision to cancel construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. President Biden revoked the cross-border operation permit for the project the first day he took office. The report released by the U.S. Department of Energy states the Keystone XL pipeline would have created between 16,000 and 59,000 jobs and would have had a positive economic impact of between $3.16 and $9.6 billion. “The Biden administration finally owned up to what we have known
Daines Statement on Biden Admin’s Heavy-Handed WOTUS Rule
U.S. SENATE – Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published its new Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule: “This is a step in the wrong direction from the Biden administration and it infringes on the rights of Montana farmers, ranchers and landowners,” Daines said. “This overreaching rule threatens Montana ag and natural resources and is unacceptable. I will continue to vigorously fight to protect Montanans from out-of-touch rules handed down from D.C. bureaucrats.” The EPA WOTUS rule defines which bodies of water are subject to federal jurisdiction under the 1970 Clean Water Act. The Obama administration rule was
Daines’ Bipartisan Forest Management Bill Passes U.S. Senate
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced the passage of his bipartisan bill to facilitate efficient and effective forest management by empowering collaboratives and public-private partnerships. “Collaboration is key in better managing Montana’s forests—I’m glad to see this bipartisan bill to bring everyone to the table to help design, develop and implement innovative projects to create healthier environments, empower rural economies, and prevent devastating wildfires pass the U.S. Senate,” Daines said. The “Root and Stem Act” received broad bipartisan support from Montana forestry and conservation groups – see statements of support HERE. Senator Daines introduced the “Root and Stem Act” with Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) in October 2021. See the full text of the “Root and Stem Act” HERE. Senator Daines will continue fighting for
Daines Pushes for Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Complete the Continental Divide Trail
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today at the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee called for passage of his bipartisan bill to complete the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. Click HERE to watch and download the full intro. “The Continental Divide Trail Completion Act… is bipartisan, bicameral, will help spur recreation, economic development and grow jobs in Montana and local gateway communities… The tourism and recreation economy that is generated from the trail is a boon to many small towns in Montana. Shuttle services, hotels, restaurants, sporting goods stores and more all benefit from the Continental Divide Trail. In fact, if we look at the state
Daines Calls on Biden to Unleash American Energy Immediately
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to President Biden expressing deep concern over the depletion of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) and urged him to support more domestic energy production. “The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is the world’s largest stockpile of emergency crude oil with the capacity to store 714 million barrels. The SPR has protected America from major supply disruptions and served as a vital windfall in the event of natural disasters and wars since its creation following the 1973 energy crises, but it was never intended to compensate for domestic policy shortcomings,” Daines wrote. “Manipulating energy reserves to bring gas
Daines Statement on President Biden’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve Plan
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement on the Biden administration’s plan to release up to 15 million more barrels of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) instead of increasing domestic energy production. “The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is meant to be used as a last resort in emergency situations, not a band-aid solution for Biden and the Democrats’ anti-Made in America energy policies on the eve of midterm elections. The Democrats should focus less on political cover-ups and more on addressing the long-term solutions of these inflated prices at the pump,” Daines said. Senator Daines serves on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources
Daines Statement on Biden’s Decision to Ease Venezuela Sanctions for Oil Imports
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released a statement on President Biden’s decisionto ease Venezuela sanctions for oil imports instead of taking steps to increase domestic oil production. “Biden has learned nothing. We need to unleash American energy development–NOT rely on dictators in adversarial countries like Venezuela for oil,” Daines said. In March 2022, Daines introduced a bill to prohibit the United States from importing Iranian and Venezuelan crude oil, petroleum, petroleum products, and liquefied natural gas. Contact: Rachel Dumke, Blake Kernen
Daines Talks Forest Management, Forestry Jobs at Senate Hearing
U.S. SENATE – At a U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources hearing today, U.S. Senator Steve Daines discussed his bipartisan bills that would promote active forest management by reversing the disastrous Cottonwood decision and help protect Montana from catastrophic wildfires by supporting Montana Job Corps Civilian Centers’ mission and ensuring graduates have a pipeline to wildfire and forestry jobs. Click HERE to watch and download “Sustainable forest management creates sustainable rural economies. It also leads to more carbon sequestration, important mitigation strategies that relate to warmer summers and longer fire seasons, healthier watersheds and air, and productive wildlife habitat. Better forest management can also help Montana’s housing shortage—at one time
Daines, Feinstein, Kuster Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Bolster Hydropower
U.S. CONGRESS – U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and U.S. Congresswoman Ann McLane Kuster (D-N.H.) today introduced a bipartisan, bicameral bill to support an all-of-the-above energy portfolio and help develop hydropower on non-powered dams. “Energy security is national security, and in Montana, we know how important it is to grow clean, renewable hydropower,” Daines said. “Increasing power at Montana’s existing dams will strengthen our grid, provide reliable sources of energy for Montana families, and support Montana energy jobs.” “There are more than 200 dams in the United States that could be retrofitted to provide hydropower but the approval process is