During a recent government meeting, significant concerns were raised regarding the Biden administration's energy policies and their impact on Montana's fossil fuel industry. A representative highlighted a series of actions taken by the administration that they believe are detrimental to oil, gas, and coal production in the state.

The representative pointed to the cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline on President Biden's first day in office, describing it as a \"gut punch\" to eastern Montana counties, effectively halting the transport of one million barrels of oil per day. They criticized the administration for stopping oil and gas leasing on federal lands and implementing stringent regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), particularly methane rules that target small oil and gas producers.

Additionally, the representative noted the closure of two out of four units at the Colstrip power plant, attributing this to what they termed \"overreaches\" from the administration. They expressed concern over the Department of Energy pausing liquefied natural gas (LNG) export permits and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) holding only two oil and gas lease sales in Montana since Biden took office.

The meeting underscored the ongoing tension between federal energy policies and local economic interests, particularly in regions reliant on fossil fuel production. The representative's remarks reflect a broader debate about the future of energy in the United States and the balance between environmental regulations and economic stability in fossil fuel-dependent areas.