Colstrip Archives - Senator Steve Daines

At Senate Hearing, Daines Slams Biden Anti-Energy Policies for Killing Montana Jobs, Hurting Rural Communities

November 3, 2023

Calls Out Administration for Radical Rules That Would Shut Down Colstrip Power Plant U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing slammed the Biden administration for their anti-energy policies that are hurting America’s national security and devastating Montana jobs. Daines called attention to Biden administration rules that would force Colstrip Power Plant to close and asked a Biden official about Montana’s grid reliability. Watch Daines’ full remarks HERE. Senator Daines on the Biden administration’s attack on made-in-America energy: Watch Daines’ opening remarks HERE. Senator Daines: Chairman, thank you. Ranking Member Brasso, thank you as well. Since taking

Daines, Hoeven Demand EPA Rescind Rule That Would Force Colstrip to Shut Down

June 27, 2023

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines (Mont.) and John Hoeven (N.D.) today sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan demanding the EPA’s proposed Mercury and Air Toxic Standards (MATS) be reversed. The MATS proposed rule would force the Colstrip Generating Station to close, and as forty-two percent of Montana’s electricity comes from coal-fired plants, Colstrip’s closure would kill good-paying jobs, decrease grid reliability and increase in energy costs for Montanans. “We write to express our strong concerns regarding the proposed rule from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Mercury and Air Toxic Standards (MATS) published in the Federal Register on April 24, 2023. EPA’s proposed rule will threaten grid reliability and drive

Daines Locks in DOE Commitment on Future of Colstrip

April 2, 2019

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today in a U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources hearing secured commitment from Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Rick Perry on investment in the Colstrip Power Plant in Montana. Colstrip is a major driver of good-paying energy jobs for Montanans, and is critical to ensuring Montanans have access to reliable, affordable electricity. Click HERE to download “Colstrip Power Plant in Montana is one of the largest economic drivers… and it is very well suited for DOE investment,” Daines said. Daines pressed Perry, “Could I get your commitment to work with me on ways to accelerate DOE investment to Colstrip?” “Yes sir,” Perry answered. To download the full video

Daines, Zinke Introduce Legislation to Give States & Tribes Say in Energy Development

May 17, 2016

U.S. CONGRESS — U.S. Senator Steve Daines and U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke today introduced bicameral legislation to protect Montana coal jobs from the Obama administration’s recent moratorium on new federal coal leases and ensure that states and tribes have a significant voice in any changes to federal coal, oil, gas royalties or leasing policy. The Certainty for States and Tribes Act, S.2938 and H.R. 5259, provides critical flexibility needed to keep Montana mines open, protect thousands of good-paying jobs and provide needed support for government and community services. “The Obama administration has completely ignored the will and well-being of Montanans and

Daines Calls on Interior Secretary Jewell to Visit Colstrip, Crow Reservation During Upcoming Travel to Montana

April 27, 2016

U.S. SENATE —Senator Steve Daines today called on Department of Interior Secretary Sally Jewell to tour Colstrip and the Crow Reservation during her upcoming travel to Montana. “Secretary Jewell needs to hear directly from the people impacted by Interior’s actions and come to communities like Colstrip and the Crow Reservation to see what it means for Montana families,” Daines stated. “We’ve already seen layoffs in coal communities across our state as a result of the Obama administration’s war on coal. I encourage Secretary Jewell to meet with folks in Colstrip and the Crow tribe to hear directly from them about the impact of

Daines Response to Governor Inslee’s Intention to Sign Legislation Putting Colstrip at Risk

March 31, 2016

U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after Governor Jay Inslee (D-WA) announced his intentions to sign legislation that paves the way for the eventual shutdown of two coal-fired electricity units at Colstrip. “It’s too bad that Governor Inslee had to cancel his recent trip to Montana,” Daines stated. “If Governor Inslee saw the devastating impact this legislation will have on hardworking Montana families perhaps he would have reconsidered. The reality is, his signature paves the way for the eventual closure of two units of Colstrip putting Montanans out of jobs and raising energy costs for families.” Daines just