Release: Zinke Supports Natural Resource Jobs--Lewis Opposes Coal Export Terminals, Creating Jobs in Montana
Press Release
In the most recent Bozeman debate Ryan Zinke made clear that he supports the construction of the West Coast export terminals and will work to develop our natural resources and the infrastructure improvements necessary to get Montana commodities like coal and wheat to market.
The construction of the terminals would mean that Montana's natural resource and commodity industries could expand and would have additional, cost effective means to transport their goods. Environmental groups and their supporters like John Lewis want to shut down the construction of the ports in an effort to shut down Montana coal mines and kill Montana jobs.
John Lewis does not support the construction of the crucial West Coast export terminals that would allow for increased shipping capacity for Montana coal and an increase in coal development throughout the state. Instead of supporting the terminal construction, Lewis called it a "complicated issue" and danced around giving an answer. Similarly, Lewis refused to support building a pipeline or supporting our additional rail infrastructure--a contradictory position to his purported support of the Keystone XL pipeline.It is this sort of mentality that has caused Canada to work around President Obama and his war on fossil fuels to construct the Keystone XL pipeline.
"I know that Montana's economy depends on using an all-of-the-above energy strategy--which includes supporting the infrastructure necessary to transport our coal, oil, and natural gas resources," said Zinke. "From rails and roads, to terminals and pipelines, infrastructure is essential to insuring the expansion of natural resource development in Montana. Any energy plan that doesn't support oil, gas, and coal development in Montana, isn't an energy plan for Montana--its an energy plan for D.C."
John Lewis has clearly aligned himself with radical environmental groups that wish to close off development and job creation in Montana.
"John Lewis caters to extreme enviro groups that want to shut down natural resource development and kill Montana jobs," said Zinke campaign spokeswoman Shelby DeMars, "John let his true colors show in this last debate, and it shed light on just how tied to the D.C. Democrats enviro agenda he really is."
While Zinke has been endorsed by the Montana Chamber of Commerce, Lewis has been endorsed and accepted campaign funds from the Montana Conservation Voters.
Lewis: Working Against Natural Resource Development & Job Creation
Lewis has been endorsed by the Montana Conservation Voters (MCV), a radical environmental group that is trying to systematically trying to shut down development and access to public lands.
The League of Conservation Voters is actively advocating to stop the Keystone XL pipeline from being constructed and to expand the reach of the EPA
John Lewis was the keynote speaker at the Montana League of Conservation Voters annual conference.
John Lewis has openly stated that he would advocate for any other means of transportation (i.e. trucking) for oil and gas before advocating for use of pipelines or trains.
According to the an article in the Missoulian titled "Montana's U.S. House candidates' energy plans reveal contrasts', " the energy plan Lewis unveiled last month largely skipped over oil and natural gas. Those industries are doing well on their own, Lewis said."
John Lewis has accepted funds from the Committee for a Livable Future, an environmental group that advocates for the expansion of the reach of EPA influence on Montana's water resources.
John Lewis has accepted over $4,000 from the Montana Conservation Voters and the League of Conservation Voters:
FEC Report: 06/03/14: Leauge of Conservation Voters Action Fund: $1,500
FEC Report: 06/03/14: Montana Conservation Voters Congressional Action Fund: $79.25
FEC Report: 06/03/14: Montana Conservation Voters Congressional Action Fund: $2,420.75
FEC Report: 06/30/14: Montana Conservation Voters Congressional Action Fund: $100
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