Bullock: Time for Full Permitting of Keystone XL

 

BOZEMAN – Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock released the following statement amid news reports that the White House will push federal agencies to approve a first section of the Keystone XL Pipeline:

 

“While I’m pleased that development of the Keystone XL Pipeline is slated to start, it’s well past time for full permitting of this job-creating project.  Washington should approve construction of the whole pipeline – including an on-ramp at Baker to bring Montana oil to market.

 

If long-term oversight is guaranteed, property rights are always respected and safeguards are put in place, this project will bring economic development to rural Montana and reduce our dependence on oil from dictators in the Middle East.”

 

Bullock has long been a supporter of permitting of the Keystone XL Pipeline and last year submitted testimony to the U.S. Secretary of State in support of permitting the pipeline.  The text of his letter is below. 

 

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Contact: Kevin O’Brien, (406) 465-6969

 

September 27, 2011

 

The Honorable Hillary Clinton

Secretary of State

2201 C Street NW

Washington, DC 20520

 

Dear Secretary Clinton:

 

I want to express my strong appreciation to the State Department and your office for engaging in an open and transparent process as you consider the permitting process for the Keystone XL pipeline – including today’s hearing at Dawson Community College in Glendive, Montana.

 

With tight regulation and appropriate, long-term oversight, the Keystone XL Pipeline project has the ability to create thousands of jobs in Montana, advance domestic energy security, and be a shot in the arm to our economy.  If tight controls are put in place and long-term oversight of this project is ensured, I would encourage you to grant the Presidential Permit.

 

At the strong urging of the State of Montana, TransCanada has agreed to create an on-ramp in Baker, Montana, to allow domestic oil from the Bakken formation to be transported on the pipeline. This on-ramp will provide a further economic boost to rural communities adjacent to the pipeline in Eastern Montana.

 

Responsible development of a project like this must take into account the safety and security of the pipeline, the workers who will construct it, and the communities it will pass through. Before a permit is issued or a shovel is turned, you must ensure that Montana’s top industry, production agriculture, as well as our waters and Wildlife habitats, will never be adversely affected.

 

As you know, Montana has recently had several high-profile pipeline failures, including a breach of the Silvertip pipeline that spilled over 40 thousand gallons of oil into the Yellowstone River.  I hope that your review of the project can learn from these devastating spills – including the need for a public response plan with input from local authorities, citizens and first responders.

 

When constructing this pipeline, it will also be necessary for TransCanada to Work in collaboration with Montana landowners and always respect the rights of private property holders.

 

Moreover, I believe that it is absolutely imperative that the industry’s best practices are used in constructing this pipeline. Uniform thickness of the steel- even in so-called “low consequence areas”  will greatly reduce the risk of a catastrophic spill. Before approving any plan, federal regulators should ensure a detailed and rigorous construction inspection process is outlined and will be followed.

 

Responsible development of An1erica’s oil resources will play an important role in our energy portfolio for the foreseeable future. I believe that, if done correctly, with long-term oversight, the Keystone XL proj eet has the ability to create good-paying jobs in Montana, further American energy security, and add to the vitality of our rural communities.

 

Thank you for your consideration.

 

Sincerely,

 

STEVE BULLOCK

Attorney General

 

Chairman Rehberg Holds Hearing to Emphasize Veterans Job Creation

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health & Human Services and Education Chairman Denny Rehberg,  this week convened a hearing to discuss public and private efforts to promote employment and training for returning veterans.  Rehberg’s subcommittee is responsible for funding the Department of Labor, which oversees the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service.

“These soldiers are literally giving life and limb for the service of their country,” said Rehberg.  “What is their country prepared to offer them in return?  This is one of those situations where everyone, Republican, Democrat, public and private wants the same outcome.  We need to work together to leverage this to find the best solutions.”

Today’s hearing was a bipartisan effort to discuss, highlight, and promote employment and training programs offered to returning veterans through the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service at the Department of Labor, as well as those offered by private sector organizations, associations and other consortiums such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.  The panel included a government witness and two outside witnesses, providing an opportunity to examine how public/private sector partnerships are being leveraged to meet the employment needs of our veterans and explore what changes could made to improve these services.

Panel:

• Mr. Ismael Ortiz, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Veterans Employment and Training Service, Department of Labor
• Mr. Kevin Schmiegel, Executive Director and Founder, Hiring Our Heroes; Vice President, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• Mr. Joseph Carbone, President and CEO, The Workplace, Inc.

Rehberg’s full opening statement is below:

I call this hearing to order, and thank everyone for being here.  Job creation and unemployment is the top challenge facing Congress right now.  When we’re talking about job opportunities for veterans, I think we understand urgency with which we need to identify and implement workable solutions.

I’m fortunate to represent the entire state of Montana, where we have the highest per-capita rate of veterans in the country other than Alaska.  With a population of a million people, more than one out of ten people who live in Montana served their country in the armed forces.  Montanans are proud of our veterans, and rightfully so.

For the men and women who answer the call to service, it’s difficult to grasp the personal sacrifice involved.  It’s impossible to fully repay it.  They’re asked to uproot their lives and go where their grateful nation sends them in the cause of liberty.  They must leave loved ones at home, as well as the stewardship of the homeland.

But in a lot of ways, this Administration has failed to maintain the homeland while our soldiers were away.  Today’s veterans are returning home to find an economy that has no place for them.  There simply aren’t enough jobs, and for the past three years, the federal government has been spinning its wheels.  This Administration borrowed trillions of dollars for so-called stimulus and for bailing out big banks, bankrupt governments and failing companies.  We’ve got to do better.

We’re here today to address veterans unemployment.

I believe that the one of the best way to help returning veterans find the jobs they need is to do what needs to be done to encourage broad economic recovery.  As they say, a rising tide raises all ships.  If our economy is producing more jobs for everyone, our vets will have more opportunities when they come home.  To that end, I’m going to keep working with my colleagues here to get this economy back on track.

But once the jobs exist, there are still plenty of challenges to getting vets integrated into the work force.  A 2010 study found that one out of four Post 9/11 veterans reported having a service-connected disability.  In 2011, there were more than twice as many combat-related amputations than there were in 2009.

These soldiers are literally giving life and limb for the service of their country.  What is their country prepared to offer them in return?  I think this is one of those situations where everyone, Republican, Democrat, public and private wants the same outcome.  How can we work together to leverage this to find the best solutions?

I look forward to hearing from the experts on our panel.

I know there are some very promising things happening on the private front.  Microsoft’s “Elevate America Veterans” program, for example, helps train vets and their spouses in hi-tech training and certifications.

On the public front, the Department of Labor oversees the Transition Assistance Program to help returning veterans reintegrate into the private sector job market.  I think we can do more to leverage the valuable skills they learn in the service to the private sector.

As President Obama winds down our efforts in Afghanistan, it will become all the more important to ensure that our shared efforts are effective and efficient.  In many cases, the challenges our men and women must overcome will last a lifetime.  It’s our job to make sure that, as a nation, we’re there to provide whatever help we can for the long haul.

Sometimes the challenges we face in Congress are daunting.  But when I see a young man who needs a job after serving two tours in the Middle East, I know we’ve got to find a way to work together.  They handled their end of the bargain overseas, now I hope we can find a way to uphold our end on the homefront.

Before turning to Ranking Member DeLauro, I’d like to personally welcome this distinguished panel. Mr. Ortiz and Mr. Schmiegel, both retired United States Marines, who left the Corps after at least 20 years of service, continue to serve their country in an all-important civilian capacity. And, Mr. Carbone, who brings his vast experience associated with the Connecticut workforce system, is a perfect complement to the panel. I thank you all for appearing today, and look forward to your testimony. Ms. DeLauro….

Senate passes Tester bill to help small businesses raise capital, create jobs

Bipartisan measure allows new companies to expand faster, cuts paperwork

 

(U.S. SENATE) – The Senate today passed Senator Jon Tester’s bipartisan bill to help small businesses raise much-needed capital to grow, innovate, and create more jobs.

 

Tester’s bill, introduced with Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), allows companies to sell up to $50 million in shares without filing lengthy paperwork. 

 

“Startup businesses need access to capital so they can create jobs and focus on breakthroughs in science and technology,” said Tester, chairman of the Senate Economic Policy Subcommittee of the Senate Banking Committee.  “This bill improves and streamlines the ability for companies to raise money and allows small businesses to do what they do best: innovate and create jobs.”

 

Tester and Toomey introduced their Small Company Capital Formation Act in September.  The bill changes the Securities and Exchange Commission rule known as “Regulation A.”

 

Currently, businesses can only raise $5 million under Regulation A – a limit that many businesses consider insufficient and has not been updated for 20 years.  Thanks to Tester’s bill, Montana entrepreneurs will now be able to raise more capital, expand their businesses, and create more jobs.

 

Tester’s bill passed the Senate today as part of a bipartisan package of bills designed to help small businesses.  The overall package passed by a margin of 73 to 26.  The measure now goes back to the House of Representatives.

 

Tester told his Senate colleagues on Wednesday that Montana small business owners tell him about the need for better access to capital more than any other issue.

 

“Montana small businesses vary from family farms and ranches to innovative biotech companies,” Tester said on the Senate floor.  “If the money is there, so is the expansion.  So is the capacity to do more research and development, and so is the next great idea.”

 

Tester’s bill also adds additional provisions designed to increase transparency and improve investor protections.

 

Small businesses across Montana support Tester’s Regulation A bill, including Microbion in Bozeman, Ticketprinting.com in Harlowton and Bozeman, Davidson Companies in Great Falls, and TerraEchos in Missoula.

 

Montana businesses supporting Tester’s bill:

“Microbion deeply appreciates the changes to Regulation A that Senator Tester is seeking through the Small Company Capital Formation Act because it makes perfect sense for energizing the economy and small businesses across America.  With the potential to raise up to $50 million through this proposed approach, Microbion will immediately consider using the revised Regulation A to raise capital. This will allow us to continue to create jobs in Bozeman, growing the economy and advancing our technology through innovation.” – Dr. Brett Baker, President and CEO of Microbion Corporation, Bozeman, Mont. “TicketPrinting.com and Ticket River fully support Sen. Tester’s emerging growth companies legislation.  As a fast growing technology company, we need more capital to invest and grow even faster.  Sen. Tester’s legislation will enable us to access public markets and continue our growth.” – Lance Trebesch, CEO and President of Ticketprinting.com, Harlowton and Bozeman, Mont.   Ø  “The expanded shareholder part of the bill means that Davidson will be able to continue rewarding our employees while staying independent. This is a common-sense bill that will help us remain a strong, privately-held company and we appreciate Senator Tester’s leadership in helping all Montana companies access the resources they need to grow, create jobs and provide opportunities for the next generation.” – Bill Johnstone, Chairman and CEO of Davidson Companies, Great Falls, Mont.   “At a time when start-ups need increased access to capital in order to grow and hire, this bill will give companies like TerraEchos more financing options.  This is a great bill that will kick-start the market for IPOs and help companies like ours expand and strengthen Montana’s economy.” – Alex Philp, Founder and CEO of TerraEchos, Missoula, Mont.

 

Video of Tester’s floor speech is available online HERE.

MVD Unveils New Format for Vehicle Registration Renewal Notices

 

HELENA – Motor Vehicle Division Administrator Brenda Nordlund on Thursday announced that, beginning the first week of April, the annual notices the division sends to remind Montanans that their vehicle registration is due will have a new look.

 

The renewal notice has been a 4¼-by-5½ inch postcard with tiny lettering and several fields of hard-to-decipher vehicle codes. The improved design will be mailed as an 8½-by-11 inch, pressure-sealed, tri-fold notice. The font is larger and the vehicle and fee information is presented in tables.  Additional space is available for printing vehicle-specific alerts and MVD news (for example, when new license plates are available).  On the reverse side, a panel promotes MVD online services.

 

During the design phase, the MVD solicited feedback from county treasurer office staff throughout the state. An example of the new notice can be viewed by going online to doj.mt.gov/driving and clicking the image on the Vehicle Title and Registration page.

 

“The larger size and new layout are easier for customers to read. Plus the added space gives MVD the ability to provide information specific to that vehicle – such as whether permanent registration is an option due to that particular vehicle’s age – and to convey pertinent information to vehicle owners generally,” Nordlund said of the new format.

 

Owners will continue to mail their notices and payments to their county treasurer, visit their treasurer’s office in person, or go online to renew their vehicle registration at https://app.mt.gov/vrr.

 

The Motor Vehicle Division mails an average of 70,000 vehicle registration renewal notices a month.

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(This news release is available electronically at https://doj.mt.gov/news/ )

 

 

Rehberg Comments on 2-Year Anniversary of President Obama’s Health Care Law

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, released the following statement marking the 2-year anniversary of the President’s Health Care Law.  Rehberg, who stood with the majority of Montanans, was the only member of Montana’s delegation to vote against it.

“When Senator Baucus wrote this bill and Senator Tester cast the deciding vote for it, they hadn’t bothered to ask Montanans what they thought about it.  They didn’t ask seniors about cutting $500 billion from Medicare.  They didn’t ask small businesses about thousands of pages of job-killing regulations and fees.  And they didn’t ask young people about adding trillions of dollars of debt that they’ll have to repay.  I opposed this law because I asked these questions at open, public listening sessions across the state.  Now, after two years, our health care costs are higher than they have ever been, while the projected cost of the law has doubled.  That’s why Montanans support repealing this law and replacing it with common sense solutions to rein in costs and improve access.”

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