Issue Position: Natural Resources

Issue Position

Montana is blessed with an abundance of natural resources. With reserves of coal, gas, oil, precious minerals and an abundance of geothermal, wind, water and timber we truly can be a model to help our country achieve energy independence. While we do have the responsibility to balance the needs of nature and the environment, we have the technology to use our natural resources in a responsible manner. Outside groups can provide good information as to the risks and benefits of extraction and use of our resources, however we must keep these groups in check, and protect our ability as a State to make decisions based upon factual and responsible data. We must continue efforts to keep the Federal Government from imposing burdensome regulatory burden upon our natural resource industry that ultimately will increase the cost of energy to Montana citizens and employers. There is a balance that can be made between nature and our use of its resources. This balance needs to be based upon factual data, not through fear or exaggeration by outside entities.

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