Energy

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 283: Generally revise laws relating to wind generation facilities

SB 283 would establish new height and lighting rules for wind energy projects in Montana. It requires all new wind turbine towers built after January 1, 2026, to not exceed 350 feet in height (measured from ground to turbine hub center), and mandates federal aviation-approved aircraft detection lighting systems on towers over 200 feet tall. These rules apply to new wind generation facilities (defined as projects with 25+ megawatt capacity) but do not affect existing towers built before 2026. The bill also provides definitions for key terms like "wind generation facility" and "turbine rotor hub" to clarify the regulations. The proposed changes would directly impact developers and operators planning new wind energy projects in Montana.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes safety standards for new wind projects (height/lighting), enabling orderly renewable energy development without restricting growth of wind infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Wind

Track

signed · Montana · House May 6, 2025

HB 217: Transfer the state building energy conservation program to the Dept. of Administration A&E division

House Bill 217 transfers the State Building Energy Conservation Program from the Department of Environmental Quality to the Architecture and Engineering Division within the Department of Administration. This means the A&E Division will now manage efforts to identify state-owned buildings for energy savings, conduct energy analyses, and implement improvements. The bill also allows the Department of Environmental Quality to retain certain federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds previously allocated to the program. This change affects state agencies and aims to consolidate the administration of state building energy efficiency.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill transfers energy conservation program to new division, maintaining focus on state building energy efficiency improvements and analyses per summary and subjects.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentTransfers energy conservation program to manage building efficiency, maintaining focus on reducing energy use and emissions through state building improvements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Conservation

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 915: Revise taxation of certain wind generation facilities

HB 915 revises the property taxation of certain wind generation facilities in Montana. The bill reclassifies specific wind generation facilities, moving them from Class Fourteen to Class Thirteen for property tax purposes. This change means these facilities would be taxed at 6% of their market value, which is the rate established for Class Thirteen property. The bill also includes provisions for an immediate effective date and retroactive applicability.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesReduces tax rate for wind facilities from higher Class Fourteen to 6% Class Thirteen, lowering state property tax revenue.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill reduces property tax rate for wind facilities (6% vs 10%), incentivizing renewable energy development. Directly supports wind energy infrastructure through tax reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wind

Track

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 160: Revise alternative energy project laws to require a bond prior to construction

SB 160 requires owners of qualifying wind and solar energy facilities in Montana (solar: 2+ megawatts, wind: 25+ megawatts) to provide a decommissioning bond before construction begins. The bond amount, determined by the Department of Environmental Quality based on the owner's decommissioning plan, ensures funds are available to dismantle facilities and restore land within 24 months after a facility's end of life or abandonment. This applies to new projects and modifies existing requirements for facility owners to submit plans and bonds prior to commercial operation.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires decommissioning bonds for wind/solar projects, ensuring environmental responsibility and long-term sustainability of renewable energy infrastructure.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires decommissioning bonds for wind/solar projects to ensure land restoration after facility end-of-life, directly protecting environmental resources through financial accountability.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

Track

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

Sub-Topics Wind

signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 8: Renewable resource bonds and loans

HB 8 approves specific renewable resource projects and reauthorizes others, enabling the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) to provide loans for them. These loans are available to various political subdivisions and local governments for purposes such as dam rehabilitation and irrigation system improvements. To fund these projects, the bill authorizes the issuance of up to $121,198,444 in coal severance tax bonds. Loan disbursements are subject to conditions including DNRC approval of the project's scope and budget, and the execution of a loan agreement.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $121M in coal severance tax bonds for renewable infrastructure projects, using existing tax funds to finance approved initiatives under Appropriations and Coal Tax Fund subjects.92% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyAuthorizes $121M in bonds for renewable projects via DNRC loans, directly funding clean energy infrastructure like dam rehab and irrigation improvements.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds renewable projects via loans/bonds, promotes clean energy and water conservation through dam irrigation improvements and DNRC financing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Coal Hydroelectric Conservation

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 81: Revise lease of state lands for underground gas storage

SB 81 authorizes Montana's state board to lease public lands for underground storage of natural gas or liquefied gas (including carbon dioxide and methane), primarily affecting natural gas utilities operating in Montana. Key provisions include requiring lessees to pay for remaining natural gas deposits in the land, limiting bonds to $20,000 per lease, and mandating lease terms to prevent waste or damage to gas deposits. The bill also grants the state board rulemaking authority over these leases and forfeiture procedures for violations. This legislation failed to pass, dying in committee after its third reading failed in March 2025.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFacilitates natural gas storage infrastructure, advancing fossil fuel energy production through state land leasing for gas utilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas

Track

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 406: Establishing utility energy conservation efficiency standards

SB 406 would require Montana's investor-owned utilities to implement energy conservation programs achieving at least 1% of their average annual electricity sales in savings by 2026. Utilities must conduct biennial assessments to identify cost-effective conservation opportunities (like efficient appliances, lighting, and grid improvements) and submit plans for commission approval. The law mandates that programs be funded through customer rates, with utilities allowed to recover costs and share in rewards for successful conservation investments. It aims to reduce peak electricity demand, improve grid reliability, and defer costly infrastructure investments without specifying outcomes.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates 1% energy savings by 2026 through utility conservation programs, requiring cost-effective efficiency measures like efficient appliances and grid improvements.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates 1% energy savings via conservation programs, reducing emissions and promoting efficiency in utility operations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Energy Efficiency Conservation

Track

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

Sub-Topics Solar

Track

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

Sub-Topics Nuclear