Energy

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 18, 2025

LC 326: Generally revise energy laws

This bill revises Montana's energy laws to establish a competitive bidding process for constructing new electric transmission lines valued at $8 million or more. It directly affects incumbent electric utilities, which retain the right to own and maintain transmission lines in specific regions after approving projects through a federally registered planning authority. The legislation requires utilities to conduct open bidding for qualifying projects while allowing them to set reasonable construction standards and inspect work to ensure compliance. Additionally, the bill clarifies definitions for transmission lines and incumbent utilities, and mandates equal sharing of transmission lines connecting two separate utilities unless otherwise agreed upon.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes competitive bidding for transmission lines, which can improve infrastructure efficiency and potentially lower costs for consumers while supporting energy infrastructure development.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Transmission

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 20, 2025

LC 1392: Require rules to limit GHG emissions

This bill directs the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to create rules that limit greenhouse gas emissions to protect public health, safety, welfare, and the environment. It expands the department's existing authority to regulate air pollutants by explicitly requiring it to develop emission limits while exempting certain agricultural and forestry activities from new permitting requirements. The legislation also allows the department to require access to emissions-related records and establish fees for permits and applications. These changes apply to the state environmental agency and any entities subject to its air quality regulations, with specific carve-outs for short-term agricultural and forestry operations.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill restricts energy production by requiring GHG emission limits, which would constrain fossil fuel and other energy sources.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly requires limiting greenhouse gas emissions to protect environment and public health, strengthening environmental regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Climate Change Forestry

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 8, 2025

LC 2812: Revising solar energy policy laws

This bill establishes a Montana Solar Shares Act to create a shared solar energy program where multiple customers subscribe to electricity generated by a single solar facility. It requires public utilities to interconnect shared solar facilities within their service territories and provide on-bill credits to subscribing customers based on their share of the facility's output. The legislation defines shared solar facilities as systems between 50 kilowatts and 5 megawatts that serve multiple customers in the same area, distinguishing them from traditional net metering arrangements. Key provisions include rules for credit calculations, customer account transfers, and the ability for subscribers to assign their energy shares to low-income programs or nonprofits. The bill also grants the state commission authority to adopt specific rules for implementing this shared solar framework.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes shared solar energy program, requires utility interconnection, and provides on-bill credits to promote renewable energy adoption.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 27, 2025

LC 1485: Establish a tax on electrical energy not produced by coal to match coal severance tax rate

This bill creates a new 10% severance tax on electricity produced in Montana using non-coal sources such as wind, solar, or hydroelectric power, while exempting coal-generated electricity from the tax. The tax is calculated based on the gross sale price of the electricity at the point of production, and producers must file quarterly returns with the Department of Revenue to report and pay the tax. Revenue collected from this tax will be placed in a special state account and used to fund local government infrastructure projects that were traditionally supported by coal severance tax revenue. Additionally, the bill reduces the existing coal severance tax rate to match the new electrical energy production tax rate, creating a revenue-neutral transition between energy sources.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill imposes new 10% severance tax on non-coal electricity while exempting coal, increasing taxes on renewable energy producers and reducing state revenue from green sources.85% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill imposes 10% tax on non-coal electricity while exempting coal, discouraging renewable energy and favoring fossil fuels.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Coal Hydroelectric Solar

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 6, 2025

LC 222: Revise commercial property assessed clean energy laws

This bill amends Montana's Commercial Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program to expand financing opportunities for multifamily housing facilities with at least five residential units. It updates legal definitions to explicitly include multifamily properties and clarifies what qualifies as an energy conservation measure, such as insulation, window upgrades, HVAC modifications, and electric vehicle charging stations. The changes allow local governments to establish districts within their jurisdictions to administer these financing programs, enabling property owners to pay for energy efficiency improvements through property assessments rather than traditional loans. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage and approval by the legislature.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill expands PACE financing for multifamily housing energy efficiency upgrades including insulation, windows, HVAC, and EV charging stations.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands clean energy financing for multifamily housing, promoting energy conservation measures like insulation, window upgrades, and EV charging stations, directly supporting environmental protection and clean energy adoption.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill expands PACE financing for multifamily housing, enabling energy upgrades that improve housing quality and sustainability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Conservation

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 30, 2025

LC 3242: Generally revise water supply requirements for coal-fired generating units

This bill requires operators of coal-fired power plants in Montana to ensure permanent access to water for nearby cities and towns, even if the plant closes or retires. It mandates that operators maintain water conveyance systems until environmental contamination from the plant or its waste storage areas meets state cleanup standards. The legislation also updates legal definitions to clarify what constitutes "affected property" and "remediation" while establishing clearer financial assurance requirements for cleanup obligations. These changes directly impact coal plant operators and local municipalities by creating enforceable water supply protections and refining how cleanup responsibilities are defined and managed.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill imposes additional financial burdens on coal-fired power plants by requiring permanent water access and cleanup standards, which could increase operational costs and limit coal energy production.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens environmental protections by requiring water access for communities and mandating cleanup until contamination meets state standards, directly supporting environmental safeguards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Drinking Water

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 6, 2025

LC 3516: Generally revise laws relating to wind generation facilities

This bill updates Montana's regulations for large wind energy facilities by establishing new height limits and lighting requirements that take effect on January 1, 2026. It defines wind generation facilities as those with a capacity of at least 25 megawatts and restricts new turbine towers to a maximum height of 350 feet, measured from ground level to the center of the rotor hub. Additionally, the legislation mandates that all wind turbines taller than 200 feet must use federal aviation administration-approved aircraft detection lighting systems to improve visibility for pilots. Existing turbines installed before the effective date are exempt from these new height and lighting standards.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill imposes height limits and lighting requirements on wind generation facilities, which could restrict renewable energy development and expansion.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Wind

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 3, 2025

LC 1707: Provide for setbacks for wind turbine generators

This bill establishes minimum distance requirements for constructing wind turbine generators in Montana. It directly affects wind energy project developers and property owners by setting specific setback distances that must be maintained. The key provisions require turbines to be at least 1,250 feet from properties under wind energy agreements, 3,000 feet from public roads, and 7,920 feet from other properties. These rules apply to new wind turbine construction after the act becomes effective.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill restricts wind energy development by imposing strict setback distances that limit where turbines can be built, potentially blocking renewable energy projects.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Wind

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 17, 2025

LC 327: Interim study on interstate power grid development

This bill directs Montana's Legislative Council to conduct an interim study on creating an interstate compact for electric transmission infrastructure development. The study will examine legal frameworks, economic impacts, and best practices for cooperative agreements among states to improve energy grid reliability and reduce costs for ratepayers. Key tasks include analyzing how to streamline permitting processes, ensure fair cost-sharing, and incorporate market-based principles while respecting state sovereignty. The study must be completed by September 15, 2026, with final results reported to the next Montana Legislature.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill promotes interstate power grid development to improve reliability and reduce costs through cooperative agreements and streamlined permitting.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Transmission

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 28, 2025

LC 588: Revise laws related to equality in financial services

This bill creates the Equality in Financial Services Act to prohibit large financial institutions from discriminating against customers based on their religious beliefs, speech, associations, or business activities related to fossil fuels or firearms. It applies to banks with over $100 billion in assets and payment processors handling more than $100 billion in annual transactions. The law requires these institutions to provide specific written reasons within 30 days if they refuse, restrict, or terminate financial services to a customer, and defines discrimination as using social credit scores that evaluate protected First Amendment rights or certain business choices.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill prohibits discrimination against customers based on business activities related to fossil fuels, effectively protecting fossil fuel interests and limiting restrictions on them.85% confidence

Track