Billings Gazette: Federal coal lease suspension clips Montana projects
Mining companies say a federal decision to stop leasing coal on public lands has bottled up Montana and Wyoming coal projects. The leasing suspension announced Friday by the Department of the Interior has put expansion plans in doubt at the Spring Creek Mine in Southeast Montana, and Antelope Mine in Wyoming, developer Cloud Peak Energy said. Cloud Peak was trying to determine whether the lease suspension would stop a 1,602-acre lease adjacent to Spring Creek Mine. The lease, involving 198.2 million tons of mineable coal, is beyond preliminary approval, but is still under environmental review, which might not be far
The Hill: Republicans furious over Obama move on coal leases 2.9K6
Congressional Republicans are slamming the Obama administration’s decision to halt new coal mining leases on federal land. Administration officials said Friday they would hold off on new lease sales while overhauling the coal leasing program to account for climate change costs. Republicans, who have badgered Obama for energy and environment policies they say constitute a “war on coal,” let loose on the decision Friday. “There seems to be no limit to the number of job-crushing regulations, executive orders and insults [Interior Secretary Sally Jewell] and President Obama will throw at America’s middle class,” Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) said in a statement. The Interior Department
Daily Caller: Politicians Remind Congress Religious Freedom Is A Fundamental Right
Politicians in the House and Senate introduced a resolution Friday to remind Congress that religious liberty is a fundamental human right. The resolution affirms “the importance of religious freedom as a fundamental human right that is essential to a free society and is protected for all Americans by the text of the Constitution, and recognizing the 230th anniversary of the enactment of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom,” the resolution states. The resolution comes the day before Religious Freedom Day, which is Jan. 16. It was introduced by Montana Republican Sen. Steve Daines and Republican Virginia Rep. Randy Forbes. “America sets the standard across the
Daines, Forbes Highlight Resolution to Celebrate Religious Freedom Day
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) and Representative Randy Forbes (R-VA) today highlighted their resolution to celebrate and reaffirm the role of religious freedom as a fundamental human and Constitutional right. The resolution recognizes the 230th anniversary of the enactment of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom and commemorates January 16, 2016 as Religious Freedom Day by an act of Congress. The Virginia Statue for Religious Freedom was authored by Thomas Jefferson and served as the model for the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment. “America sets the standard across the globe for upholding the fundamental human right to
Daines Blasts Obama Moratorium on New Coal Leases
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today slammed President Obama’s decision to place a moratorium on new coal leasing on federal lands, which will likely end coal mining in the west and destroy the thousands of good-paying jobs coal supports in Montana. “This moratorium is almost exclusively focused at destroying Montana and Wyoming coal. It is an unprecedented assault on one of Montana’s most important sources of good paying jobs and tax revenue that will likely shut down coal development in Montana and Wyoming’s Powder River Basin. Rather than forcing his ideology on the American people through executive fiat, President Obama should instead spend his remaining time in office helping America power the
Daines Applauds American Airlines Expansion to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today applauded the announcement that American Airlines will expand their air services to the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport and create an additional travel route for Montanans. “This is exciting news for the Bozeman community and the thousands of Montanans who rely on Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport for reliable air travel,” Daines stated. “This new partnership with American Airlines won’t just increase options for Montanans, but will also make it easier for Montanans to access global destinations at lower costs. It will further open Bozeman’s door to economic opportunities and job creation, unlocking markets for Montana small businesses.”
Billings Gazette American Airlines enters Montana market, offers seasonal service to Bozeman
American Airlines will enter the Montana market this spring with non-stop daily, seasonal flights connecting Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport with Dallas-Fort Worth. Summer service begins June 2, ending in October. Winter service begins Dec. 15 and ends in April. Airport manager Brian Sprenger said Thursday’s announcement is the culmination of two decades worth of effort by officials from Gallatin County. “Obviously, it puts us on the map, particularly for the Dallas market,” Sprenger said. The direct flights open up new opportunities for leisure travelers interested in visiting southwest Montana, he said. Gallatin County organizations have pledged $1.3 million in revenue
Daines to Kerry: Congress Doesn’t Make Laws With Iranian Interests in Mind
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today criticized Secretary of State John Kerry for his recent attempts to placate Iran’s concerns over the United States’ Visa Waiver Program (VWP) restrictions. Daines also called on Kerry to press the Iranian government, the largest state sponsor of terrorism, to cease its support for terrorist activity and provide tangible evidence of such action. In a letter to Secretary Kerry, Daines and 13 of his colleagues ask the Secretary to make clear to Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif that U.S. national security interests, not Iranian interests, were the impetus for changes to the VWP. The letter is
ABC Fox: Montana delegates vote against Waters of the U.S. rule
Montana’s delegates have voted for a bipartisan bill which would block the Environmental Protection Agency’s Waters of the United States rule. Congressman Ryan Zinke is calling WOTUS an “unconstitutional abuse of executive power.” Although not delving into specific flaws, Zinke fears that WOTUS will harm the economy by negatively impacting farmers, ranchers and builders in the Big Sky state. Senator Steve Daines addressed more specific concerns on WOTUS in November 2015. He cited the hefty bill that comes with the Act, an estimated $158 million and $465 million a year in indirect costs. For farmers, he says, WOTUS could results in fees for assessments and