Facebook-f Youtube

Tag: Energy / Natural Resources

Daines Celebrates Bernhardt’s Confirmation as Victory for Montana and the West

April 11, 2019

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today voted to confirm David Bernhardt as the 53rd U.S. Secretary of the Department of the Interior. “David Bernhardt understands the importance of protecting access to our public lands, our commitment to tribal nations, and responsible energy development,” Daines said. “As a fellow westerner, I have complete confidence in David’s ability to lead the Department of the Interior and was glad to cast my vote for him this afternoon along with a bipartisan majority on the floor of the United States Senate. I look forward to continuing to work together to advance Montana priorities.”

Daines Fights for Mandatory Funding of LWCF

April 9, 2019

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced bipartisan legislation to authorize full, mandatory funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). “The historic bipartisan lands package which permanently maintained our commitment to LWCF was a big win for Montana, but now we must come together again to ensure the program is fully funded,” Daines said. “Expanding access to public lands and preserving the rich outdoor heritage of Montana is one of my highest priorities in the U.S. Senate. I will not stop fighting until we get full funding of LWCF.” Daines is a member of the U.S. Senate

Daines: Bernhardt Good for Montana to Lead DOI

April 4, 2019

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today voted to advance Department of the Interior (DOI) Acting Secretary David Bernhardt to being one step closer to leading the Department of the Interior. “Bernhardt has a proven record of excellence on issues important to Montana such as his work to implement the Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act and his firm commitment to the Land and Water Conservation Program,” Daines said. “I have full confidence that together we will continue to work on important Montana priorities including increasing access to public lands and fixing the maintenance backlog at our national parks.” In a hearing last week, Daines pressed Bernhardt on his

Daines: We Need to Finalize Cleanup at Montana Superfund Sites, Protect Communities from Asbestos

April 3, 2019

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today pressed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler at a U.S. Senate Hearing on the need to finalize restoration and cleanup at Montana’s Butte-Silver Bow and Anaconda Smelter Co. Superfund Sites. Daines specifically stressed the need for a natural stream in Butte and for a firm commitment from Wheeler that the Anaconda site will be secure into perpetuity. Download video HERE At the hearing, Daines also pressed Wheeler on the status of EPA’s current risk evaluation of asbestos. “My communities in Montana are eager for progress… we’ve known for a while the dangers

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 Statement on President Trump’s Keystone XL Presidential Permit

March 29, 2019

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement following President Trump’s presidential permit on the Keystone XL pipeline.  “President Trump’s announcement today is a big win for Montana and our nation,” Daines said. “After over ten years of review, this pipeline that will create roughly 800 construction jobs and spur millions in revenue for Montana’s rural communities and schools, will finally become a reality. I applaud President Trump for his leadership and commitment in getting this done.”  To read more on the President’s permit today, click HERE.  ###

Daines Rejects Disastrous Green New Deal

March 26, 2019

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today voted against the disastrous Green New Deal. Daines dismissed the radical proposal as nothing more than a vehicle for socialist policies that would destroy Montana’s economy. “The Green New Deal is a radical, top-down idea that disregards the impacts on hard working Montanans and Americans across our country. Plain and simple, it’s a socialist wish list that has nothing to do with conservation or the environment,” Daines said. “This so called trillion plus dollar “deal” would kill Montana jobs, hurt Montana families, and destroy Montana’s economy. We should be working towards an all of the above energy agenda focused

Daines Delivers Historic Conservation Win for Montana

March 12, 2019

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined President Trump at a bill signing ceremony at the White House for a bill signing ceremony of the bipartisan public lands package, which includes the permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act. “What a great day for Montana, a great day for America,” Daines said. “I just came back from the West Wing of the White House, the Oval Office, where I witnessed President Trump sign the lands package. In fact, here’s one of the pens from the signing ceremony that I keep

Daines Urges Forest Service to Restore Access on Public Lands

March 8, 2019

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter to the U.S. Forest Service demanding they reconsider proposed mountain bike closures in the Blue Joint and Sapphire Wilderness Study Areas on the Bitterroot National Forest in Montana. “With over $7 billion in consumer spending coming from Montana’s outdoor recreation economy, we should be encouraging adaptive management principles across the Agency that help U.S. Forest Service decision-makers manage different uses across various landscapes, not exclude them,” the letter states. “I am concerned this approach will foster additional closures in areas with historic use and that the greater recreation community will suffer

Senate Western Caucus Applauds Andrew Wheeler’s Confirmation as EPA Administrator

February 28, 2019

U.S. SENATE – Today, U.S. Senate Western Caucus Chairman Steve Daines (Mont.) and Caucus Members Senators Mike Rounds (S.D.), Jim Inhofe (Okla.), Pat Roberts (Kan.), John Boozman (Ark.), John Barrasso (Wyo.) celebrated the confirmation of Andrew Wheeler as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “Having worked with Administrator Wheeler both in Montana and DC, he takes a commonsense approach to solving issues important to Montana and other states,” Daines said. “I look forward to continuing to partner with Administrator Wheeler to protect our environment in Montana, finalize and clean up our superfund sites in Butte, Anaconda, Libby and other