Energy

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 314: Create a state energy authority

HB 314 proposed creating a State Energy Authority to help develop Montana's energy resources and improve electricity transmission within the state and regionally. This authority would consist of 14 members appointed by the governor, representing utilities, energy stakeholders, and state agencies. Its responsibilities would include planning, developing, and analyzing energy and transmission projects, coordinating with state agencies, and participating in regional energy initiatives. The bill also proposed funding the authority's activities through a special revenue account, using money from the wholesale energy transaction tax.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates State Energy Authority to develop resources and improve transmission infrastructure, directly advancing energy infrastructure development per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 811: Increase the generating capacity for customer-generated electricity

HB 811 aimed to increase the maximum generating capacity for customer-generated electricity systems that use net metering. Currently, systems like those powered by solar, wind, or hydropower, which can feed excess electricity back to the grid, are limited to 50 kilowatts. This bill proposed to raise that capacity limit to 100 kilowatts. This change would directly affect customer-generators by allowing them to install larger renewable energy systems on their property and still qualify for net metering.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyIncreases renewable energy capacity limits for net metering, enabling larger customer solar/wind systems and promoting clean energy adoption.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 670: Require a public utility to transfer unused customer-generated kilowatt-hour credits to low-income energy assistance programs

HB 670 proposes that public utilities transfer unused kilowatt-hour credits, generated by customers who produce their own electricity, to low-income energy assistance programs. Currently, any remaining unused credits accumulated by customer-generators over a 12-month period are granted back to the public utility without compensation. This bill amends existing law to specifically direct that these uncompensated credits must be credited to a fund established for universal low-income energy assistance, administered by the Department of Public Health and Human Services. The public utility would receive credit for these kilowatt-hours that fund the assistance programs.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRedirects unused customer-generated renewable energy credits to low-income energy assistance, advancing equitable access and supporting energy affordability programs.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRedirects unused renewable energy credits to low-income programs, increasing access to clean energy and aligning with environmental goals of promoting renewables and equitable energy access.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HJ 16: Resolution on renewable energy

House Joint Resolution 16 (HJ 16) is a resolution where the Montana Legislature recognizes the economic benefits that renewable energy projects have brought to the state. It expresses the Legislature's support for the future responsible development of new renewable energy projects in Montana. Copies of this resolution are to be sent to the Governor, the Montana Public Service Commission, the Montana Rural Electric Cooperatives' Association, and the Montana Congressional Delegation.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly recognizes renewable energy benefits and expresses support for future development, aligning with pro-renewable indicators.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly expresses support for renewable energy development, aligning with environmental protection through clean energy promotion and economic benefits recognition.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 939: Revise laws relating to wind turbine generators

HB 939 establishes new regulations for wind turbine generators, primarily affecting developers and property owners involved in wind energy agreements. The bill mandates a 1,500-foot setback for new wind turbines 500 feet or taller from occupied residences, unless the property owner approves a closer distance. It also sets a deicing standard, limiting rotor blade speed to 10% of maximum for certain tall turbines near residences, with a similar provision for property owner approval. Furthermore, it updates the required content for wind energy agreements executed after January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill creates regulatory framework for wind energy development with safety standards and property owner flexibility, enabling renewable infrastructure growth while addressing community concerns.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 760: Establish solar consumer protection laws

HB 760 establishes consumer protection laws for individuals purchasing residential solar energy systems in Montana. It grants solar buyers a 3-business-day right to cancel a contract after signing, requiring written notification to the solar company or agent. Solar sales agents must provide a written explanation of these cancellation rights, which the customer must acknowledge. Additionally, the bill prohibits solar companies and sales agents from making deceptive statements about the costs, financing, or terms of solar energy system purchases during solicitations.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyProtects solar consumers from deceptive practices, enabling fairer adoption of residential solar energy, a renewable energy source.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 623: Revise laws relating to nuclear energy

HB 623 establishes the conditions under which temporary spent nuclear fuel storage facilities can be sited within the state. It specifies that such facilities must be located on the site of an existing nuclear power generating facility and store fuel produced by that facility. Authorization for these facilities also requires a state recommendation from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and a license from the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The bill amends existing law to clarify the DEQ's role in reviewing federal applications for these facilities, requiring applicants to submit their federal applications to the DEQ and pay a fee for the department's review and participation in federal proceedings.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill enables temporary spent nuclear fuel storage at existing plants, supporting nuclear energy infrastructure without restrictions.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 6: Renewable resource grants

HB 6 implements the Renewable Resource Grant and Loan Program by appropriating funds to the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). The bill allocates specific amounts for various grant types, including emergency projects, planning, irrigation development, private projects, and nonpoint source pollution reduction. Additionally, it appropriates $5.25 million for prioritized infrastructure grant projects to specific cities, towns, and water districts for improvements to wastewater systems, drinking water infrastructure, and stormwater control. Funds for these prioritized projects are awarded in a specified order until available money is expended.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $5.25M for infrastructure grants via DNRC, directly funding state budget priorities without tax changes.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyAllocates funds for renewable resource grants and infrastructure projects, directly advancing clean energy initiatives per bill title and summary.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds nonpoint source pollution reduction and wastewater infrastructure, directly advancing environmental protection through targeted grants and conservation-focused allocations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 31: Revise wind and solar facility decommissioning

HB 31 clarifies and revises the bonding requirements for wind and solar generation facility owners in Montana to ensure proper decommissioning. It mandates that facility owners submit a decommissioning plan and provide a bond to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) within specific timeframes after commencing commercial operation. The DEQ determines the bond amount based on factors like site characteristics and salvage value. The bill also outlines various exemptions for facilities already bonded elsewhere or meeting certain size and operation criteria, and establishes penalties for non-compliance.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates decommissioning plans and bonds for wind/solar facilities, ensuring environmental protection and long-term renewable energy infrastructure viability.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates decommissioning plans and bonds to prevent environmental damage from abandoned renewable energy facilities, ensuring post-operation site restoration.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 55: Revising public utility resource planning laws

HB 55 revises the laws governing how public utilities plan for their customers' future energy needs. It requires public utilities to submit detailed resource plans every three years, including evaluations of renewable energy and demand-side management scenarios, and to hold more public meetings before submitting these plans. The bill establishes a special revenue account within the Department of Environmental Quality to fund an independent evaluator, paid for by fees charged to public utilities, who will assist in reviewing these plans. Additionally, the state commission can now engage independent consultants to evaluate utility plans, with these costs being recoverable in rates charged to customers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes special revenue account funded by utility fees to support independent evaluation, directly advancing fiscal oversight under appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates evaluation of renewable energy scenarios and demand-side management in utility planning, advancing renewable integration and efficiency standards.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires renewable energy evaluations in utility plans and funds DEQ independent evaluator via utility fees, advancing clean energy planning and environmental oversight.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy