U.S. SENATE —Senator Steve Daines today slammed the Obama administration for excluding Montanans during the proposed review of their moratorium on coal leasing.
“It’s unconscionable that the Obama administration refuses to sit down with hardworking Montanans—including union and tribal members who will be most impacted by these decisions,” Daines stated. “Yet again, the Obama administration would rather raise costs for those who can afford it the least instead of prioritizing a dependable, reliable source of energy. This is a war on good-paying Montana jobs and made-in-Montana energy.”
According to an announcement from the Department of Interior (DOI), public meetings are currently planned to be held in May and June in Casper, Wyo.; Grand Junction, Colo.; Knoxville, Tenn.; Pittsburgh, Pa.; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Seattle, Wash.
Earlier this month, Daines explicitly called on DOI Secretary Sally Jewell to better incorporate Montanans’ voices in unilateral bureaucratic decisions and requested a more formalized process to allow states and tribes a more predictable and impactful seat at the table—like the Royalty Policy Committee. Under Jewell’s leadership, the Royalty Policy Committee lapsed in 2014.
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