#MTGOV
DAILY RUNDOWN: Montana has some of the cleanest air in the country, why the War
on Coal?
A new study out has found that Montana has some of the best air quality in the country. With the largest coal reserves of any state, several mines, and one of the largest coal power plants west of the Mississippi (in Colstrip), it is clear that those in Montana’s coal industry are being responsible stewards. Yet, the Obama Administration and the party of Governor Steve Bullock continue to wage a War on Coal that threatens thousands of Montana livelihoods in the name of “clean air.”
A recent survey of EPA data shows that coal rich Montana is in the top 4 states when it comes to air quality. The top state for air quality is Wyoming, which is also coal rich.
“The
four states with the best air quality in the country, Wyoming, North Dakota,
Montana and Alaska, are all red states. Only one of the five states
with the worst air quality in the country is a red state. The worst air quality
in the country is found in Illinois, Pennsylvania and California, which
have all consistently voted for Democrats.” -Daily
Caller, 7/3/2016
However, as the liberal leaning Brookings Institution notes, Montana faces one of the most stringent carbon reduction requirements of any state. The new requirements could lead to the closing of the Colstrip Power Plant and the loss of 7100 jobs, $500 million in payroll, and $1.5 billion in economic activity for the state.
Yet,
Governor Bullock won’t stand up for Montana’s interests.
Last year, Bullock refused to support Attorney General Tim Fox’s lawsuit against the Obama/EPA Clean Power Plan which threatens thousands of Montana jobs.
“A statement issued by Governor Steve Bullock didn’t say whether he thinks the lawsuit is a good idea.” -Montana Public Radio, 10/23/2015
Early in the year, after the U.S. Supreme Court put a stay on the Obama/EPA Clean Power Plan, Bullock simply suspended his Clean Power Plan Advisory Council.
“Montana Gov. Steve Bullock on Tuesday suspended the work of
a panel appointed to address new federal carbon dioxide emissions rules after
the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocked the key component of President
Barack Obama’s climate change plan.” -Associated
Press 2/9/2016
Meanwhile, Greg Gianforte called for the council to be repurposed
in order to fight the plan’s implementation.
“Instead
of putting their work on hold, Gianforte is encouraging the governor to
repurpose the efforts of his Clean Power Plan Council. Rather than focusing on
implementing Obama’s power plan, Gianforte says the governor’s committee should
now focus on building a case against the plan, and assist Attorney General Tim
Fox in his efforts.” -Greg
for Montana, 2/9/2016
The governor has tried to claim that he is pro-Montana coal, yet he voted against the Otter Creek Coal Mine as Attorney General, a project that would have created 4400 Montana jobs.
“Attorney General Steve Bullock and state
Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau voted against the lease.” -Billings Gazette, 3/18/2010
Governor Bullock has also endorsed Hillary Clinton for
President, who promises a radical anti-coal, anti-gun agenda for Montana and
the nation.
“…we’re gonna put a lot of coal miners and coal companies
out of business”-Hillary Clinton, on CNN, 3/13/2016
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