2020 MT Governor's race: on Energy & Oil


Mike Cooney: Focus on a realistic transition to renewable energy

We must take action to protect Montana for future generations without leaving workers behind. Mike knows climate change is real. Mike is committed to working with local communities to discuss what is best for their families and neighbors and focusing on a realistic transition to renewable energy sources. He understands that both traditional and alternative forms of energy production are vital for the success of Montana, and also for the county.
Source: 2020 Montana governor campaign website CooneyForMontana.com Mar 25, 2020

Reilly Neill: Campaign centered on issue of climate change

Neill's campaign was centered around the issue of climate change, including a "Montana 2035 Sustainability Plan," meant to build on the work of the Climate Solutions Council created by Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock and help the state "prepare for impacts and effects of climate change across all stage agencies and economic sectors."
Source: The Missoulian on 2020 Montana Gubernatorial race Jan 21, 2020

Reilly Neill: We need to remove politics from science of climate change

We need to remove politics from the science of climate change. In my work in the State Legislature, I was successful in education and legislative efforts to address climate change by focusing on something both affected by climate change and of real importance to Republican ranchers and farmers: water. By focusing on facts, not politics, we can get good work accomplished.
Source: DemCast USA on 2020 Montana Gubernatorial race Dec 6, 2019

Tim Fox: Defends Keystone XL pipeline as beneficial to Montana

Citing the Keystone XL pipeline as beneficial to Montana, Fox is attempting to intervene in a lawsuit filed by environmental groups trying to block pipeline construction. The attorney general asked Federal District Judge Brian Morris to allow Montana to join the U.S. government and pipeline developer TC Energy in defending the project. The attorney general's request notes that Keystone XL pipeline would generate about $63 million a year in property taxes for Montana.
Source: Billings Gazette on 2020 Montana governor race Oct 9, 2019

Reilly Neill: Find commonality to address man-made climate change

When I was elected by my community to serve in the Montana State House, I went to Helena and discovered a level of dysfunction in our state government that was disheartening but l relished the opportunity to interject leadership on key issues and spearheaded efforts on both sides of the aisle on a hot-button political issue: climate variability, as we agreed to call it, or man-made climate change, by focusing on the impacts of water use in the state. I recognized that even within the system of bi-partisan dysfunction, I had the ability to get Montana's lawmakers to find commonality and work together to get important things accomplished by using skills of objectivity and fairness.

I'm interested in engaging with both sides of the aisle going forward to make sure Montana is prepared for climate variability in our state agencies. We need to build resiliency into our state systems to prepare for the future.

Source: Ballotpedia.org Connection: 2020 Montana Governor race Sep 9, 2019

Greg Gianforte: The "War on Coal" endangers jobs

Talen Montana, the owner of the coal-fired energy plant in Colstrip, announced that it was closing its two older units permanently by the end of the year. Gianforte said, "Colstrip has long provided affordable, reliable electricity to Montanans, but the war on coal has jeopardized Colstrip and good-paying jobs for hardworking Montanans."
Source: Missoula Current/MTN News on 2020 Montana gubernatorial race Jun 11, 2019

Greg Gianforte: Critical of regulations & studying social cost of carbon

Gianforte is the only new Republican on the Energy and Commerce Committee this Congress. The second-term lawmaker gave up his seat on Natural Resources for the slot. He said he still expects to work on the "responsible development of energy resources." He's been critical of Obama-era environmental regulations, particularly those promoting the study of the social cost of carbon, but also favors limits on mining near Yellowstone National Park.
Source: E&E News on 2020 Montana gubernatorial race Jan 30, 2019

Greg Gianforte: Has more than $5 million invested in fossil fuel companies

Of the Energy Committee members, Gianforte, one of the wealthiest members of Congress, has by far the largest stake in fossil fuels--at least $5.6 million in domestic and international companies through his and his wife's revocable trusts. His communications director told Sludge, "Congressman Gianforte's investments are governed by a blind investment agreement to avoid any potential conflict of interest. Congressman Gianforte does not make decisions about individual investments; a money manager does without his input or direction." Sludge asked whether Gianforte was aware of these investments, given that they are publicly available, but the communications director did not answer this question.
Source: Sludge Blog on 2020 Montana gubernatorial race Jan 30, 2019

  • The above quotations are from 2020 Montana Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage.
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Candidates and political leaders on Energy & Oil:

Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN) 		Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA) 		Retired House as of Jan. 2015:
AL-6:Spencer Bachus(R)
AR-2:Tim Griffin(R)
CA-11:George Miller(D)
CA-25:Howard McKeon(R)
CA-33:Henry Waxman(D)
CA-45:John Campbell(R)
IA-3:Tom Latham(R)
MN-6:Michele Bachmann(R)
NC-6:Howard Coble(R)
NC-7:Mike McIntyre(D)
NJ-3:Jon Runyan(R)
NY-4:Carolyn McCarthy(D)
NY-21:Bill Owens(D)
PA-6:Jim Gerlach(R)
UT-4:Jim Matheson(D)
VA-8:Jim Moran(D)
VA-10:Frank Wolf(R)
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Page last updated: Apr 14, 2020