Today, the Montana Wildlife Federation applauded President Biden’s signing of the Inflation Reduction Act, marking the country’s most significant investment ever to combat the impacts of climate change. The landmark bill included many provisions that will bring much-needed investments across the West, including to Native communities, to boost landscape resiliency, clean energy jobs, and protect taxpayers by reforming antiquated energy policies.
“Passage of the IRA marks a historic moment for the future of Montana’s people, landscape, and our fish and wildlife,” said Frank Szollosi, Executive Director for the Montana Wildlife Federation. “Climate change is impacting species and their habitat across the West, and affecting some of the sporting community’s most cherished opportunities that people depend on for their way of life. This historic legislation will help preserve our outdoor heritage while boosting the economy and helping the U.S. transition to a clean energy future.”
Key policy reforms within the bill included changes to the outdated federal oil and gas leasing system, which has cost American taxpayers billions of dollars in revenue because of antiquated policies. Most noteworthy was an increase of royalty rates for federal lands leasing and the elimination of noncompetitive leasing, a loophole that has been exploited by oil and gas companies for decades to scoop up federal lands that have little to no potential for actual development.
“For too long, oil and gas companies have used loopholes in the system to boost their bottom line, without any plans to develop leases and provide a fair return to taxpayers for the use of public lands,” said Szollosi. “The increase in royalty rates and elimination of noncompetitive leasing is a key step forward in protecting taxpayers and also ensuring that our public lands are managed for their outstanding wildlife and recreation values.”
Szollosi also applauded senior Senator Jon Tester for his work to pass the bill in the U.S. Senate, while expressing disappointment in Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Matt Rosendale for opposing the legislation: “Senator Tester has been a stalwart champion for fish, wildlife and public lands, and his work to ensure that Montana receives the key investments from the bill is no exception. We’re disappointed that Senator Daines and Congressman Rosendale decided to put partisan politics ahead of securing a healthy future for Montana residents, fish and wildlife.”
