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Tag: Energy / Natural Resources

Daines Announces Emergency Funding to Combat Wildfires Across Montana

September 3, 2020

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized federal funds to help with the costs the State of Montana incurs in firefighting efforts for the Huff, Bobcat and Snider/Rice fires. “This critical funding will provide our brave firefighters, first responders and local officials the resources they need to fight and contain wildfires in Garfield, Musselshell, Yellowstone, Rosebud, Custer and Powder River Counties,” Daines said. “I will continue working to prioritize the safety of our communities and provide the resources needed to stop the spread of wildfires and prevent them in the

Daines to Bullock: Carbon Pricing Proposal Will Kill Montana Jobs, Must be Rejected to Protect our Way of Life

August 26, 2020

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to Governor Steve Bullock urging him to reject any carbon-pricing proposal that would harm Montana small businesses, rural economies and jobs. “This reckless proposal is a gut punch to the over 35,000 oil, gas, and coal jobs in Montana, not to mention the thousands of manufacturing and transportation jobs that would be crippled under such policy,” Daines wrote. “Montanans rely on these jobs to support their families and revenues from these industries support our schools, communities, and essential services.” To read the full letter, click HERE. The Climate Solutions

Daines Calls for Hearing on Bipartisan Forest Management Reform Bill

August 20, 2020

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee calling for a hearing as soon as possible on his bipartisan forest management reform legislation. This comes on the heels of a meeting in Kalispell where stakeholders voiced their strong support for seeing this bill signed into law. “Our states are currently experiencing severe wildfires, which have only been exacerbated by the challenges of fighting these natural disasters during COVID-19,” Daines wrote. “Given that the National Wildfire Preparedness Level has increased to Level 4, and California and Montana are in the midst

Daines Secures Over $700,000 for Montana State Fire Chiefs’ Association

August 19, 2020

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will be directing $710,000 for the Montana State Fire Chiefs’ Association to assist in the recruitment and retention of fire personnel. “This critical funding will ensure that Montana fire departments have the resources needed to recruit and retain firefighters to keep our communities safe,” Daines said. “I’m glad to have worked to secure this funding and I will continue working to ensure our brave firefighters have the support they need.” Daines voted to secure funding for this effort through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and

Daines Hosts Roundtable Discussion on Bipartisan Forestry Bill at Flathead National Forest

August 17, 2020

KALISPELL, MONTANA – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today hosted a roundtable discussion with local Montana leaders, conservation groups, leaders in the timber industry, and fire officials on his bipartisan forest management reform bill at Flathead National Forest. Daines’ bipartisan bill will create good paying timber jobs, reduce frivolous litigation, protect air and water quality, and wildlife habitats, and reduce the risk of wildfire in at-risk communities. Daines’ bill is also critical during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic because wildfires could make conditions worse for Montanans with health risks and respiratory illnesses and wildland firefighters are at a greater risk than usual. To

Daines Introduces Major Bipartisan Forest Management Reform Bill

August 5, 2020

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) today introduced major, bipartisan forest management reform legislation. The bipartisan bill increases active management of federal forests, cuts red tape, reduced frivolous litigation and gives the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) the tools to protect communities from deadly wildfires.    “I am very happy to join Senator Feinstein in introducing this strong, commonsense forest management legislation,” Daines said. “This bill will speed up urgently needed projects to reduce wildfire risks, create good paying jobs in the forestry sector, and protect public health and safety. I look forward to working closely with

Daines Brings EPA Administrator Wheeler to Montana, Tour Kalispell Brownfield Sites

July 24, 2020

KALISPELL, MT – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today brought U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler to Kalispell to visit multiple Brownfield sites including Glacier Rail Park, the former CHS Country Store, the CHS Agronomy Center, and SunRift Restaurant. Daines secured funding for cleanup of the contaminated sites which allowed for redevelopment of the areas boosting the local economy and supporting jobs.   To download the Senator’s full statement, click HERE  “It’s great to have Administrator Wheeler here from the EPA, who came from Washington, D.C. out to Montana to see an example of what we can do with

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