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Tag: Energy / Natural Resources

Daines Introduces Bill to Cut Red Tape to Improve Forest Health, Support Critical Timber Jobs

June 25, 2020

U.S. SENATE – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced a bill that will address the challenges stemming from the Cottonwood decision that created a new standard for re-consultation on Forest Plans when ‘new information’ is made available. The bill will improve the health of forests, advance wildlife and restoration projects, reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires and support timber jobs. “Even the Obama Administration agreed that the Cottonwood decision was flawed and crippled forest management. This law has tied the hands of our land managers, prevented them from following the best available science in management decisions, and diverted resources for an paperwork exercise yielding

Daines Successfully Secures Two Year Extension for Montana Timber Contracts During the Coronavirus Pandemic

April 15, 2020

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be providing all timber sale contract holders with a two-year extension. This follows Daines’ direct request to USDA Secretary Perdue for relief for the wood products industry, including the two-year extension for those with timber sale contracts to provide stability during the pandemic. “It’s critical we protect Montana timber jobs and industry during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic,” Daines said. “Active forest management not only supports good paying jobs but it protects our communities from the threat of wildfires and improves the conditions of

Daines Statement on NorthWestern Energy’s Planned Investment in Colstrip

December 10, 2019

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement in response to NorthWestern Energy’s plan to invest in Colstrip.   “NorthWestern Energy’s plan to invest in Colstrip is good news for the Colstrip community and all of Montana,” Daines said. “The power coming out of Colstrip is essential to Montanans’ access to more low-cost, reliable energy. NorthWestern’s increased ownership in Unit 4 will ensure affordable rates for their customers and a strong partnership with the Colstrip community. I will continue working with folks in Colstrip and Rosebud County to ensure Colstrip, and Montana’s energy portfolio, remains strong.” Daines has been

Daines’ Montana Water Bills Move to Senate Floor for a Vote

September 25, 2019

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today secured passage of two critical bills with direct impacts to Montana communities, the Clean Water for Rural Communities Act and a bill (S.1882) to allow Sidney Water Users Irrigation District and Kinsey Irrigation Company to continue receiving Pick-Sloan power out of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. As a member of the Committee, Daines was instrumental in moving them through the legislative process.   To download the full video, click HERE. “Clean, reliable drinking water is one of the most basic needs of life yet many of our rural communities

Daines, Gianforte Secure Feasibility Study for Silver Bow Creek Restoration and Cleanup

September 4, 2019

U.S. CONGRESS – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Greg Gianforte today announced that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) intends to award a $50,000 grant to conduct a feasibility study of a complete and restored Silver Bow Creek. The news follows Daines’ and Gianforte’s request to find a concrete path forward for restoration. “Montanans have been waiting for far too long on cleanup of the Silver Bow Creek,” Daines said. “I’m very glad to see the EPA respond to my request to find a path forward for the feasibility study and this funding will help get it done. This is

Daines Applauds EPA’s Proposal That Will Lead to More High Paying Montana Jobs

August 9, 2019

U.S. SENATE– Today, U.S. Senator Steve applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposal regarding the water quality certification process. The proposal would reform implementation of the water quality certification process under section 401 of the Clean Water Act. “This is great news for Montana’s energy economy,” Daines said. “Today’s announcement will help stop activist bureaucrats from abusing the law to limit the potential of Montana’s booming energy economy. Common sense regulation will lead to more high paying jobs for Montanans and strengthen our nation’s energy independence.” EPA’s issuance of proposed regulations is the agency’s next step to implement President Trump’s

Daines, Feinstein Developing Major, Bipartisan Forestry Legislation

August 1, 2019

U.S. SENATE— U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following joint statement on bipartisan legislation they are developing to protect public safety by expediting and expanding the removal of dead, dying and hazardous trees in national forests: “The 2017 and 2018 fire seasons brought unspeakable loss and grief to California and Montana communities. Unfortunately, millions of acres of forests in our states and across the West remain at high risk of catastrophic wildfires, and there is strong consensus that fire seasons will only get worse. We believe additional resources are urgently needed to protect our communities

Daines Bill Set to Generate $6.6 Billion in Federal Revenue

July 11, 2019

U.S. SENATE– U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced his bill, the Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act of 2019, will generate $6.6 Billion in federal revenue, according to the nonpartisan Joint Committee on Tax, by restoring integrity back to the conservation program. “My bipartisan bill will protect this critical conservation tool by stopping abuse from bad actors,” Daines said. “The massive $6.6 billion revenue estimate shows that, despite previous IRS guidance, abuses have continued and it demonstrates the need to bring integrity back to this program so it can be used for years to come.” The bill limits qualifying conservations contributions,

Daines, Gianforte Fight for Jobs in Indian Country

June 28, 2019

U.S. CONGRESS – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Greg Gianforte reintroduced legislation to permanently extend the Indian Coal Production Tax Credit (ICPTC). “This is about bringing economic opportunity and jobs to Indian country” Daines said. “This tax credit will create good, high paying jobs, generate vital local tax revenue to support essential services, and promote tribal self-determination and energy independence.” “The Indian Coal Production Tax Credit benefits the Crow Tribe, its members, and the people of Montana,” said Gianforte. “I am proud to introduce legislation to permanently extend the tax credit, support tribal development, and help strengthen Montana’s economy with

Daines Celebrates New Affordable Clean Energy Rule

June 19, 2019

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today praised the actions of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to repeal and replace the Clean Power Plan (CPP) with the Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) Rule. “The new ACE plan is great news for Montana’s rural communities,” Daines said. “The Obama EPA Power Plan would have wiped out Colstrip immediately, killing high paying jobs, local and state tax revenue that helps pay for our schools, and affordable reliable energy that keeps the lights on. This ACE Rule would instead provide flexibility to states and power plants to innovate to reduce pollution rather than eliminating coal