Daines: Washington State Coal Regs Hurt Montana Jobs

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Representative Steve Daines today called on Washington Governor Jay Inslee to halt new regulations that would restrict Washington utility providers from purchasing electricity from Montana coal-fired power plants.

In a letter to Governor Inslee, Daines noted that Inslee's Executive Order, which would eliminate his state's import of coal-fired electricity from Montana and other states, directly impacts the sustainability of the coal-fired power plant in Colstrip, Montana and the jobs it supports.

"The prospect of reducing operations at Colstrip through policies adopted by the State of Washington amounts to economic warfare when waged by Washington against the State of Montana and its citizens," Daines wrote. "Colstrip supports thousands of family-wage jobs and provides a significant source of tax revenue for the state and taxing districts, including schools."

Montana's Colstrip Generation Station, which is responsible for 3,740 Montana jobs, generates coal-fired electricity for Washington residents. Inslee's executive order directs Washington state agencies to "eventually eliminate the use of electrical power produced by coal" that is produced by plants like the one in Colstrip.

Inslee's proposal also calls for reducing emission levels by 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2035, and 50 percent below the 1990 levels by 2050.

Today, at a Billings roundtable with Montana union representatives, tribal leaders, energy representatives and local elected officials, Daines also discussed the impact of Washington's regulations on Montana's coal industry and the thousands of jobs it supports.

"In Montana, we know that coal is the most reliable, abundant and cost-effective source of energy for electrical generation. It's also a valuable source of good-paying Montana jobs. Governor Inslee's new regulations would have serious consequences on Montana's coal industry--threatening Montana jobs and needlessly increase the price of electricity for hardworking Montana families and businesses," Daines stated during today's roundtable. "That's why I am standing with Montana coal workers and hardworking Montana families and calling on Governor Inslee to drop these out-of-touch, job-killing regulations."

Attendees at today's roundtable included Crow Tribe Chairman Darrin Old Coyote; Montana Coal Council Executive Director Bud Clinch; Joe Micheletti, Senior Vice President of Coal Operations for Westmoreland Coal Company; Brad Hanson, President and CEO of Signal Peak Energy; Todd O'Hair, Senior Management of Government Affairs for Cloud Peak Energy; Peter Simonich, Vice President of PPL Electric Utilities; representatives from the Billings Chamber of Commerce, International Union of Operating Engineers, SMART Union Transportation, and Boilermakers; Crow Tribe coal miners; and local legislators and county commissioners.

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