Daines Leads Republican Colleagues in Introducing Bills to Unleash American Energy
Press release from Senator Steve Daines’ office
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines led a group of his Republican colleagues in introducing two bills to unleash American energy, promote America’s energy dominance and support rural communities. The “Supporting Made in America Energy Act” would support oil and gas development by requiring four annual onshore lease sales in top oil and gas producing states, two annual offshore lease sales in the Gulf and six offshore lease sales over ten years in Alaska’s Cook Inlet. The “Restoring State Mineral Revenues Act” would remove the 2 percent administration fee on federal oil and gas royalty payments to local communities.
“Now that we have a President who supports our energy industry instead of pushing a radical environmental agenda, it’s time to get to work on real change to unleash American energy and ensure that we remain dominant on the world stage. These bills will have a huge impact on creating Montana jobs, boosting our economy and protecting our national security, and I’ll work with my colleagues every step of the way to get them over the finish line,” said Daines.
Supporting Made in America Energy Act:
The “Supporting Made in America Energy Act” ensures the United States maintains and grows its energy independence. It requires the Department of the Interior to hold four onshore oil and gas lease sales in the top oil and gas producing states, and also requires two annual offshore oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of America and six sales over a ten-year period in Alaska’s Cook Inlet.
Senators Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Curtis (R-Utah), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and John Hoeven (R-N.D.) joined Daines in introducing the legislation.
Read the bill text HERE and a one-pager on the bill HERE.
Restoring State Mineral Revenues Act:
The “Restoring State Minerals Revenue Act” removes the 2 percent administration fee on oil and gas royalty payments to the states, making it a true fifty-fifty split. Revenue generated from federal land oil, gas, coal, and other resource development is a significant source of income for Montana and many other states. The Restoring State Mineral Revenues Act brings parity back to the development on federal land and will result in more money in local communities for infrastructure, schools and more.
Senators Kevin Cramer (R-S.D.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), John Curtis (R-Utah), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) joined Daines in introducing the legislation.
Read the bill text HERE.
Of course, it's a press release. And a joke. America has never been more energy secure and independent, thanks to the Biden administration. And nothing ensures a strong and independent American energy policy more than an increasing use of renewables. On an individual level, nothing provides energy independence like rooftop solar does.
What will Montanans get as a legacy from this windfall? Cheap healthcare. Free education? The jobs won’t last.