Steve Daines: “the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015 is a crucial step forward in modernizing our country's energy policy and…”

“the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015 is a crucial step forward in modernizing our country's energy policy and public lands management for the first time in nearly a decade, and we are doing it in a strong, bipartisan fashion. Moreover, we are taking the necessary steps to secure our Nation's energy future, in turn increasing economic opportunity and protecting our Nation's security needs. Here are a few important components of this bill that I would like to highlight. No. 1, it permanently reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund. This is an important tool for increasing public access to public lands and one of the country's best conservation programs. No. 2, this bill also streamlines the permitting for the export of liquefied natural gas, allowing more American energy to power the world. Montana is the fifth largest producer of hydropower in the Nation, and we have 23 hydroelectric dams. This bill strengthens our Nation's hydropower development by streamlining the permitting process of new projects and finally defining hydropower as a renewable resource. Only Washington, DC, would not define hydropower as a renewable resource. This cleans that up by statute, allowing FERC to provide more time to construct new hydroelectric facilities on existing dams. It also extends construction licenses for Gibson Dam and Clark Canyon Dam, two projects critical to tax revenue and jobs for communities in Montana.…”