Montana gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte has President Obama’s environmental rules in his cross-hairs. On Thursday, the Republican said he wants to “wrangle up” the president’s Clean Power Plan if he takes office.
Gianforte’s targets include federal sage grouse conservation plans, U.S. EPA’s Clean Water Rule and one Obama administration regulation he can’t bring himself to call by its formal name: “The Costly Power Plan” is Gianforte’s term for the Clean Power Plan, the president’s attempt to limit carbon emissions from the power sector.
Gianforte’s opposition to the regulations falls perfectly in line with the Koch brothers’ agenda. In November, Americans for Prosperity published a press release that similarly challenged Governor Steve Bullock for implementing President Obama’s climate change rules. Gianforte is literally following in their footsteps — predictable since he’s a handpicked Koch candidate.
The climate change deniers have used their dark money channels to stealthily back the Republican candidate for governor. AegisPAC, which is funded through the Koch political network, are supporting Gianforte:
Gianforte …stands out from some of the Republican predecessors in Montana for his ability to fundraise in a with the state [sic] extremely low contribution limits.
Despite Aegis’ (read: the Kochs) involvement in the race, he has “pledged” not to accept campaign money from any “special interests” and called on Democratic Governor Bullock to follow suit. However, Gianforte’s move to back Koch policies, including his opposition to President Obama’s Clean Power Plan, makes it clear the pledge is desperately hypocritical.
Greg Gianforte isn’t concerned about what’s best for Montanans, but what will help his billionaire sponsors’ bottom line — billionaires, who are entirely uncaring for the Treasure State and don’t even know how many people live there.
