Tester statement on public support of local conservation efforts

(U.S. SENATE) – Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement after The Wilderness Society issued the results of a bipartisan poll finding that an overwhelming majority of Westerners support developing renewable energy projects on public lands and returning royalty revenues to local communities:

“This poll proves what folks in the West have known for a long time: protecting and responsibly developing our natural resources is just common sense. In order to strengthen our economy and increase our energy independence, we must protect our lands and waterways and use those resources to develop our renewable energy industry. That’s good for our outdoor economy, and it’s good for Montana.”

Tester introduced the bipartisan Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act that streamlines permitting for renewable energy projects on public lands.

Tester also recently called on the U.S. Interior Department to fully implement his bipartisan blueprint to bring more renewable energy jobs to Montana.