In The News

A Montana oil refinery says it will lose a key power supplier if Colstrip is shuttered. CHS Inc., which refines oil in Laurel, gets more than half its power from Colstrip Power Plant, which faces an uncertain future as power companies in the Pacific Northwest prepare to dump coal-generated electricity and tighten pollution controls under the Clean Power Plan to address climate change. It was the Clean Power Plan that Patrick Kimmet, Laurel Refinery vice president cited Monday while meeting with U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont. “We are reviewing the potential effects of the Clean Power Plan,” Kimmet said. “But

  United States Sen. Steve Daines stopped in Miles City Monday evening to tour Miles Community College’s Heavy Equipment Operations program. Daines has been traveling around the state to promote made-in-Montana energy and the good-paying jobs it supports. The tour will include the Montana Energy Summit 2016 on March 29-31 in Billings. He expects around 500 people at the conference to talk about the future of energy in Montana.  Daines met with MCC President Stacy Klippenstein, among others, in James Lucas Hall. The group proceeded to the Heavy Equipment Operations building to meet with instructor Jerry Forman.  “It’s important to

The Montana Energy 2016 conference will take place March 29 – 31 in Billings. For the full agenda, including speakers, panelists and continuing education sessions is now available here. Montana Energy 2016 will serve as the largest venue to discuss Montana’s energy potential. Led by Senator Steve Daines, the comprehensive conference will continue the discussion around state and national energy opportunities and provide an all-encompassing look at Montana’s energy potential. More information about the conference, click here.

Senator Steve Daines is spending the next two weeks highlighting the energy needs of Montana businesses, and advocating for policies that protect the state’s fossil fuel industries, including coal interests that are facing significant challenges. Daines kicked off what he’s calling his Montana Energy tour today with a stop at the CHS refinery in Laurel. CHS Refinery Manager Pat Kimmet puts into perspective how important electricity is to the Laurel facility. “$18 million for power and $15 million for wages and benefits.” “And the fact that their power bill here in Laurel, Montana for this operation is greater than their

With the future of the Colstrip Power Plants now in question, Montana’s U.S. Sen. Steve Daines is taking his energy fight on the road on a statewide tour to promote what he calls “Made-in-Montana Energy.” The Republican Senator kicked off his 10 city tour Monday in Laurel at the CHS Refinery. “This refinery relies on Colstrip for its electricity. Sixty percent of the electricity of this refinery comes from Colstrip, so I think it also highlights the importance of Colstrip and the coal industry here in the state,” said Daines. Daines said his goal is to underscore the importance of Montana’s energy and how losing Colstrip will

Sen. Steve Daines (R-Montana) is set to host a conference discussing the future of energy in the treasure state. Energy is big business in Montana, but the future of the industry is less certain than it has been in a long time.  “It’s not just about our state,” says Sen. Daines. “It’s how our state can have an impact on the entire nation and the world.” Montana Energy 2016 kicks off in a week. The meeting will take place in Billings and look at the state’s energy potential with fresh perspectives from energy experts. “I think we need more ‘made

A full schedule is available at www.montanaenergy.net . The panelists and speakers have been set for one of Montana’s largest energy industry trade meetings, held March 29 to March 31 at the Radisson Hotel in Billings. U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., announced Friday the panel lineup for the three-day conference, which will features leaders in industry and government. Eight panel sessions will be held, covering infrastructure needs, energy policy, renewables, export markets, research and education, wholesale energy markets and transmission, energy innovation and jobs. Another 11 keynote speakers will give talks, including U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., Crow Nation Chairman Darrin Old

Last month, Rep. Ryan Zinke requested funds to acquire new helicopters at Malmstrom Airforce Base. During that time in a House Armed Services Committee hearing, Zinke pressed Admiral Cecil Haney about the use of out-of-date Huey helos at Malmstrom. “From talking to folks on the ground [at Malmstrom] and looking at it, and I concur, these are aging helicopters as well as they don’t have the lift and capacity. If they do get an alert situation, they just don’t have the hover time for the distances in Montana and I assume, Minot,” Zinke saidd. “Congressman, absolutely,” Haney said. “The Air Force

It’s been just weeks since Zeesy Bruk was appointed the 2016 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Champion Child from the state of Montana. Yet already, the 5-year-old child of Rabbi Chaim and Chavie Bruk, co-directors of Chabad-Lubavitch of Montana, has been hailed by fans near and far, including U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), who released a video statement in which he called her a “very special” and “very courageous” little girl. Since birth, Zeesy has battled a rare genetic metabolic disorder characterized by the deficiency of a protein required for glucose to cross the blood-brain barrier, something that was only recently diagnosed and is now