Tag: Jobs

Daines Statement on Department of Interior’s Sage Grouse Announcement

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on the Department of the Interior’s sage grouse announcement:  “While it is good news that the sage grouse is not listed as an endangered species, I remain concerned that the Obama administration’s land-use plans will have a harmful impact on Montana’s economy, our land users and Montanans’ way of life. The fact remains, sage grouse numbers have increased in the west by nearly two-thirds since 2013. Montana needs to continue take the lead on sage grouse conservation and I hope BLM can revise their plans to allow Montana to do so. Because a sage

Daines Investigates Pipeline Safety, PHMSA Reauthorization at Montana Field Hearing

BILLINGS, Mont. — Senator Steve Daines today held a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation field hearing in Billings, Montana to discuss the upcoming reauthorization of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The hearing examined current issues and challenges relating to the inspection and safe management of the nation’s pipeline network, as well as the importance of safely transporting our natural resources through pipelines, highways and rail lines. Daines and witnesses also examined the upcoming reauthorization of PHMSA and its efficacy in overseeing and enforcing federal regulations in light of recent pipeline ruptures in eastern Montana. “I’m thankful that we were

Daines, 46 Additional Senators Introduce Resolution to Nullify Expanded WOTUS Definition

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines, along with 46 Senate cosponsors, today introduced a joint resolution disapproving the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) greatly expanded Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule, which directly threatens Montana agriculture and energy production, Montanans’ property rights and Montana jobs. The resolution would nullify the EPA’s WOTUS rule, which greatly expands the scope of federal authority over land and waterways in the United States under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. “The EPA’s latest power grab is a direct threat to Montanans’ livelihoods and must be stopped,” Daines stated. “This ill-conceived rule provides the EPA

Daines Secures Field Hearing on Pipeline Safety

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today announced that he has secured a Senate field hearing on pipeline safety and the upcoming reauthorization of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), to be held in Billings, Montana next week.  The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee field hearing is entitled “Pipeline Safety: State and Local Perspectives” and will be held on Friday, September 18th at 10:00 a.m. MT/Noon ET at Montana State University, Billings.  “Montanans know the importance of safely transporting our natural resources, whether through pipelines, highways, or rail lines,” Daines stated. “This field hearing will allow PHMSA and

Daines Blasts Obama’s So-Called Clean Power Plan

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today took to the Senate floor to blast President Obama’s plan to devastate Montana’s coal industry and the good-paying jobs it provides. Click here to download Daines’ remarks. Click here to watch Daines’ remarks. Daines made the following remarks on the Senate floor this morning: “Yesterday, President Obama and his Employment Prevention Agency continued to wage their war on American energy, American families and American jobs. “As President Obama was announcing his plan to devastate Montana’s coal industry and the good-paying jobs it provides, yet another coal company filed for bankruptcy. “At the same

Daines Slams Obama Admin’s Latest Anti-Energy Regulations

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today slammed the Obama administration’s newly released regulations as the latest step in Obama’s war on American energy and the thousands of jobs Montana’s energy industry supports: “The Obama administration’s war on American energy is a war on American families and a war on American jobs. The Obama administration’s so-called ‘Clean Power Plan’ not only would shutter our country’s coal-fired power plants, but also hinder tribes’ and states’ ability to develop their coal resources. “Just last month, the Supreme Court issued a severe rebuke of the Obama administration’s sweeping energy regulations, yet the Obama administration

Daines: Montana Needs a Multi-Year Highway Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on the Senate’s passage of the DRIVE Act, which lays the groundwork for a multi-year highway bill, and the 34th short-term extension of the Highway Trust Fund since 2009: “Today the Senate took an important step in moving forward a bipartisan, multi-year bill to address our nation’s infrastructure needs. Montanans deserve a long-term solution that provides needed certainty, improves our infrastructure country, and most importantly, helps create jobs. “I am disappointed that Congress also had to once again pass a short-term extension of the Highway Trust Fund, but I’m thankful that we are

Daines, Energy Committee Move Forward Key Energy Reforms

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today helped pass multiple pieces of legislation that will help expand Montana energy production, permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and rein in the Obama administration’s overreaching anti-energy regulations.  “This bipartisan legislation will not only strengthen our country’s global competitiveness, but also empower our tribes to develop their energy resources, expand Montana families’ access to affordable energy and create good-paying energy jobs,” Daines stated. “I am committed to continue working for commonsense solutions that protect Montanans’ access to public lands and keep energy prices low for hardworking Montana families.” Daines also worked to secure

Daines’ Bills to Expand Montana Hydro Power Pass Out of Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines’ bills to ensure the completion of two hydroelectric facilities in Montana today unanimously passed out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Daines’ bills provide for the reinstatement and three-year extension of a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license for Clark Canyon Dam Hydro Project in Dillon, Montana and a six-year extension of the FERC license for the Gibson Dam Hydro Project near Augusta, Montana. “Hydropower is a critical component of an all-of-the-above energy portfolio that provides a reliable and affordable source of electricity for hardworking Montana families,” Daines stated. “I’m pleased to

Daines, Zinke Call on Army Corps of Engineers to Complete Environmental Study on Gateway Pacific Terminal

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) and Representative Ryan Zinke (R-MT) today led a bipartisan group of sixteen Senators and seventeen House members in urging the Army Corps of Engineers to complete the required review process for the proposed Gateway Pacific Terminal before making any decisions that could impact the project’s future. Daines’ and Zinke’s letters come in the wake of news that the Seattle District of the Corps may make an atypical final determination on key components of the project before completing the required Environmental Impact Study (EIS).  Such action not only threatens the future of the project,