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Statement In Response To New York Times Story
March 10, 2010
Statement from Rebecca Fisher, Communications Director for Senator John Ensign:
“Any allegation or inference that Senator Ensign’s motivation for doing his job as a Senator was anything but for the good of his state is completely false and misleading. He did everything necessary to ensure there was no impropriety whatsoever in this matter. He not only returned the donation, but also informed the company that his office could not be of assistance in any capacity due to the connection of a fundraiser and legislative requests made by any employee of the company. Public records clearly show that Senator Ensign did not take any legislative action at the behest of this company.
“No one is more anxious for this investigation to be completed and for the facts to come out than Senator Ensign. He is hopeful that politics will stay out of the investigation so that he can continue to focus on his job as Nevada’s Senator.”
Ensign Fights For Mine Safety By Protecting Tax Incentives
March 10, 2010 – Washington, DC – The Senate has unanimously passed a bill introduced by Senator John Ensign, along with Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), which will expand two important tax provisions that will result in improvements in protections for miners and will protect jobs in our state.
“Mining is an important Nevada industry and something that our state relies on heavily,” said Ensign. “It is so critical to ensure that our mines are safe and that Nevada miners are able to do their high-risk job in as safe an environment as possible. Unfortunately, keeping our mines safe is not an inexpensive feat which is why protecting these tax incentives will support our mining industry.”
This amendment will help mine operators to increase the number of single-mine rescue teams, increase training for fire-fighting and emergency medical treatment, and provide emergency supplies of oxygen beyond the requirements of law and regulation.
The tax package includes a provision that provides for 50 percent expensing for qualified mine safety equipment. Qualified items include emergency communication technology, underground locating systems, emergency self-rescue breathing devices, pre-positioned emergency oxygen and atmospheric monitoring devises. In addition, the package includes a tax credit for up to $10,000 or 20 percent of the cost of training qualified mine rescue team members. The Ensign provision will ensure these incentives remain in place for mining companies that are currently prevented from using them because of the Alternative Minimum Tax.
Ensign, Reid Secure Geothermal Royalties
For Nevada Counties
March 9, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Senators John Ensign and Harry Reid today announced a big victory for the counties in Nevada when it comes to receiving a fair share of geothermal royalties. Their legislation will ensure that our counties receive their cut of the money generated from geothermal energy development on public lands, which had been diverted to the federal government for fiscal year 2010.
“Today is a big win for our state,” said Ensign. “The economy across our state has been truly hurting and the loss of geothermal royalties last year has cost counties in Nevada to lose out on hundreds of thousands of dollars. Our legislation will ensure that our state and counties receive their cut of geothermal royalties and will ensure that the economy in our state will not be forced to take another hit when it comes to monetary and job losses that stem from losing out on geothermal royalties.”
“I thank my Senate colleagues for ensuring Nevada’s counties get their fair share of geothermal revenues,” Reid said. “As Nevada’s economy continues to recover from the recession, it is important that our rural counties can access every source of revenue, especially those generated from the energy developed within their borders. As we begin our work on next year’s budget, I will oppose any new efforts to cut Nevada counties out of the geothermal revenue picture.”
Their amendment will give 50% of geothermal royalties to the state of Nevada, another 25% will go to the counties, and the remainder 25% will be sent to the federal government. It is estimated that this legislation will restore roughly $4 million a year to Churchill County alone.
Ensign, Reid Legislation Will Bring
Geothermal Royalties Back To Nevada
March 8, 2010 – Washington, D.C. – Senators John Ensign and Harry Reid introduced legislation that will ensure that Nevada receives its share of geothermal royalties, which have previously been directed to the federal government instead of to Nevada communities.
“Nevada has been losing out on hundreds of thousands of dollars each month, and ensuring that our state receives its share of geothermal royalties is of the upmost importance,” said Ensign. “Our legislation will ensure that our state and counties receive 75% of the geothermal royalties that we need and deserve.”
“Rural counties in states like Nevada with large percentages of public land rely heavily on revenue sources like PILT and geothermal energy production,” Reid said. “This amendment will restore the counties’ share and ensure critical funding for programs like public safety, transportation and education.”
Their amendment will send 50% of geothermal royalties back to the state, while 25% will go to the county, and the remaining 25% will go to the federal government.
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