Montana

6/19/2009 -- (Helena) – Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) have chosen the City of Billings water and wastewater systems for low interest loans and funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

The funds will be used to replace old and undersized water and sewer mains within the city. The new lines will reduce leakage and improve the reliability of the water distribution and wastewater collection systems.

“Upgrading infrastructure to meet growing demand is a good investment for the City of Billings,” said Governor Brian Schweitzer. “I’m pleased that the ARRA funds are available for this important project.”    » read more »

6/19/2009 -- (Helena) – Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) have chosen the City of Conrad’s wastewater treatment plant upgrade for a low interest loan and funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009(ARRA). The new facility should dramatically improve the quality of the treated water which is discharged to the Marias River.

"Improving the City of Conrad’s wastewater treatment will keep the Marias River clean and protect the water for decades to come," said Governor Brian Schweitzer. "This is a good project that needed reinvestment."    » read more »

EPA to Move Aggressively on Cleanup and HHS to Assist Area Residents with Medical Care

June 17, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson today announced the agency has determined that a public health emergency exists at the Libby asbestos site in northwest Montana. Over the past years, hundreds of asbestos-related disease cases have been documented in this small community, which covers the towns of Libby and Troy.

The announcement was made today at a joint press conference with Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and U.S. Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester.    » read more »

Senators Call Announcement a "Monumental Victory"

June 17, 2009 -- (Washington D.C.) – After a nearly decade-long fight, Montana Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester, joined by Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, today announced a long-awaited Public Health Emergency for Libby.

The Public Health Emergency determination requires the federal government to provide screenings and health care for Libby residents with asbestos-related disease. The Department of Health and Human Services is making available a short-term grant to provide needed asbestos-related medical care to Libby and Troy residents.    » read more »

Energy And Climate Change High Priorities

June 16, 2009 -- PARK CITY, UTAH -- Governor Brian Schweitzer of Montana, newly elected chairman of the Western Governors’ Association, said energy and climate change will continue to be top priorities for the association over the next year.

Schweitzer officially took over as chair today at the close of the WGA Annual Meeting here. Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter of Idaho is the new vice chairman.

“Western states are at the very center of our country’s energy future, and Western governors will take the lead in building the bridge to a new energy economy,” Schweitzer said.    » read more »

Money will go to eight northern border counties

June 4, 2009 -- (WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Montana’s U.S. Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester today announced that eight Montana counties will receive a combined $1.8 million to improve security along Montana’s northern border.

Eight of Montana's northern border counties will receive money to help pay for fuel, personnel, and equipment. County law enforcement agencies partner with the U.S. Border Patrol to monitor the border for suspicious activities, respond to calls, and participate in training exercises.

* Phillips - $215,719
* Valley - $ 215,068
* Blaine - $ 215,393
* Hill - $217,997
* Glacier - $210,837
* Daniels - $ 69,560
* Toole - $215,719
* Flathead - $229,659    » read more »

NRDC Joins Legal Action to Challenge the Department of Interior's Decision to Remove Northern Rocky Mountain Wolves From Endangered Species List

LIVINGSTON, Mont. (June 2, 2009) – Another chapter in the legal battle over wolves was opened today when the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and a coalition of concerned conservation groups challenged the recent U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decision to remove protections for packs in Montana and Idaho.    » read more »

May 28, 2009 -- Billings, Montana -- U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan visited Billings, Mont., on Wednesday, May 27, as part of his "Listening and Learning" tour. He was joined by U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, Sen. Jon Tester and Gov. Brian Schweitzer. The day included visits to Lame Deer High School, the Northern Cheyenne Reservation, Broadwater Elementary School, as well as a news conference at Montana State University-Billings and a roundtable meeting with Montana's tribal leaders.    » read more »

Announcement Comes During Visit to Montana Native American Tribes and Housing Authorities

May 27, 2009 -- BILLINGS, MT - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan announced today that HUD is offering more than $252 million to Indian tribes and Alaskan native communities to improve housing and stimulate community development. Provided through The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009, these grants are intended to promote greater energy efficiency, mold remediation, and energy conservation retrofit investments.    » read more »

Crapo co-sponsors legislation to increase funding share

May 22, 2009 -- Washington, DC—Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota) and Jon Tester (D-Montana) are taking steps to improve how money is distributed to rural transit systems across the country. The Senators have introduced the Rural Transit Improvement and Flexibility Act of 2009 to increase rural, elderly, and disabled transit funding in rural states like Idaho, Montana and South Dakota. Crapo, a member of the Senate Banking Committee with jurisdiction over public transit issues, is the lead Republican sponsor of the bill.    » read more »

Montana’s Response To "20% Wind by 2030: Overcoming the Challenges"

5/22/2009 -- (HELENA) – Montana Governor Schweitzer today acknowledged the U.S. Department of Energy’s selection of Montana as one of 53 recipients of funds for new wind energy projects around the nation. The DOE program addresses market and deployment challenges identified in the 2008 report: “20% Wind Energy by 2030” and involves up to $8.5 million in federal funding.

“Montana has developed wind energy faster than any other state in the nation over the last four years,” Governor Brian Schweitzer said. “We intend to continue leading the way for this clean, green resource to help meet the goal of 20% wind energy by 2030.”    » read more »

5/11/2009 -- (HELENA) – Today, while biomass experts are meeting in Missoula at a Western Governors Association bioenergy workshop hosted by Montana, Governor Brian Schweitzer announced a new study conducted by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana. It reveals a substantial supply of biomass to meet existing utilization demands, and potentially much more.    » read more »

3/13/2009 -- (HELENA) – Montana State University Northern has received a Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) grant of $990,312.50 to support and expand training activities at the Bio-Energy Innovation and Testing Center in Havre. The funds were awarded by the Montana Department of Commerce through Montana’s WIRED program and will be administered by the Montana Office of Higher Education.

“These funds will help train Montana students to meet the growing demand for diesel engine techs experienced in bio-fuels,” said Governor Brian Schweitzer. “The bio-based fuel, oil and additive industry is growing by leaps and bounds and MSU-Northern is helping Montana lead the nation.”    » read more »

New Analysis Ranks "Filthy 15" States by Coal Ash Produced by Proposed Plants

Washington, D.C. (March 12, 2009) -- Proposed coal plants across the United States would produce nearly 18 million tons of dangerous waste, including toxic metals, each year. Nearly 130 million tons of coal waste from existing plants is being produced annually, most of which is disposed of in largely unregulated landfills, ponds and other locations, posing serious public health and environmental risks.

According to a new analysis by the Natural Resources Defense Council, the 15 states that would be the biggest polluters -- the “Filthy 15” -- have proposals for 54 coal plants and would create nearly 14 million tons of dangerous waste.    » read more »

Says the money will re-energize the Montana Economy

3/6/2009 -- HELENA – Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer today unveiled the details of an estimated $800 million in recovery and reinvestment funding from the federal government that will be invested in Montana over the next 28 months.

“We will be accountable for every single dollar that comes to Montana though the Recovery and Reinvestment Act,” said Governor Brian Schweitzer. “It is the right thing to do to get this money on the ground as quickly as possible and get people back to work but it is also the right thing to do to be accountable and responsible with the taxpayer’s money.”    » read more »