Energy (Solar)

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 10, 2025

LC 639: Resolution on renewable energy

This joint resolution formally recognizes the economic benefits of renewable energy development in Montana and expresses legislative support for future projects. The document highlights existing investments in wind and solar power, noting their potential to create jobs, generate tax revenue, and help address high energy costs. It does not change any laws or create new requirements, but instead serves as a symbolic statement acknowledging the state's renewable energy potential and encouraging responsible development. Copies of the resolution are sent to state officials and relevant organizations for informational purposes.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly recognizes economic benefits of renewable energy and expresses legislative support for future projects, promoting wind and solar development.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes renewable energy development, which reduces emissions and supports clean energy goals, though it is primarily symbolic rather than regulatory.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 24, 2025

LC 2324: Establish solar consumer protection laws

This bill establishes consumer protection laws for solar energy system purchases in Montana, directly affecting residential property owners and solar sales agents. It grants buyers a three-day right to cancel their solar contracts after signing by notifying the company in writing, and prohibits companies from enforcing terms or claiming labor and materials if a buyer exercises this cancellation right. The legislation also requires solar sales agents to clearly disclose cancellation rights in all capital letters on contracts and bans deceptive statements about costs, financing, and installation terms. These provisions aim to increase transparency and fairness in solar sales transactions while taking effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes consumer protection laws for solar energy systems, promoting renewable energy adoption and protecting residential property owners from predatory practices.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 15, 2025

LC 1597: Revise alternative energy project laws to require a bond prior to construction

This bill requires wind and solar power project owners in Montana to post a financial bond before construction begins to ensure funds are available for decommissioning the facilities when they are no longer operational. The law applies to large-scale wind and solar projects with specific capacity thresholds and mandates that owners submit a detailed decommissioning plan and cost estimates to the state Department of Environmental Quality prior to starting commercial operations. Key provisions include setting a 12-month deadline to begin decommissioning after a facility is abandoned or reaches the end of its useful life, with completion required within 24 months unless an extension is approved. The bill also defines decommissioning activities such as removing equipment, restoring land to its original condition, and allows for alternative restoration agreements if mutually agreed upon with property owners.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill strengthens renewable energy infrastructure by requiring decommissioning bonds for wind and solar projects, ensuring long-term project viability and protecting public interests.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 21, 2025

LC 2827: Create transparency in energy economics

This bill requires investor-owned utilities in Montana to create an online energy dashboard by June 2026 that displays real-time data on electricity generation costs, transmission fees, and how different power sources contribute to customer bills. It also mandates public utilities to provide quarterly disclosures showing the mix of energy sources used, such as coal, natural gas, wind, and solar, along with the cost per kilowatt-hour for each source. The dashboard must allow customers to see how specific grid events or price surges affect their monthly electricity charges, while the quarterly reports must detail power purchased from same-day electricity markets. These requirements aim to help residential and small commercial consumers better understand the operating costs and energy sources behind their utility bills.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill promotes energy transparency and consumer protection by requiring utilities to disclose generation costs and source mixes, helping customers understand their energy usage and costs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Solar Utility Regulation

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 21, 2025

LC 4353: Require a public utility to transfer unused customer-generated kilowatt-hour credits to low-income energy assistance programs

This bill requires public utilities in Montana to transfer any unused kilowatt-hour credits from customer-generated solar or wind energy to a state fund that supports low-income energy assistance programs. Under the new rules, when a customer generates more electricity than they use, the excess is credited to their account for the next billing period, but any remaining credits at the end of a 12-month period must be given to the utility without payment to the customer. The utility then contributes these credits to a designated fund administered by the Department of Public Health and Human Services, which uses the resources to help low-income households with energy costs. This change affects residential and commercial customers who generate their own electricity and the public utilities that serve them.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directs unused energy credits to low-income energy assistance programs, strengthening funding for essential public services and supporting fiscal management of state resources.75% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill redirects unused renewable energy credits to low-income assistance, supporting energy equity and renewable energy adoption.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar Wind

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 25, 2025

LC 2787: Increase the generating capacity for customer-generated electricity

This bill amends Montana's energy law to update definitions related to customer-generated electricity and utility transition costs. It directly affects electric utilities, customer generators, and the state Public Service Commission by clarifying terminology for net metering systems, carbon offset providers, and electricity supply resources. The key provision expands the maximum generating capacity for net metering systems from 50 kilowatts to 100 kilowatts, allowing more residential and small business solar and wind installations to connect to the grid. The bill also adds new definitions for terms like "assignee," "fixed transition amounts," and "large customer" to improve clarity in future energy regulations. These changes take effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill expands net metering capacity from 50kW to 100kW, supporting customer-generated electricity and renewable energy adoption.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands net metering capacity for customer-generated electricity, which promotes renewable energy adoption and reduces reliance on fossil fuels, supporting environmental protection goals.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Resilience Solar Utility Regulation

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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

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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

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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

Sub-Topics Solar

died · Montana · Legislature May 23, 2025

LC 859: Generally restrict sales of power generated by Montana-located wind and solar

This bill (LC 859) proposed restricting how power generated by wind and solar facilities located in Montana could be sold. It would have directly affected Montana-based renewable energy producers and potentially utilities purchasing that power. The bill aimed to limit sales of such power outside Montana but was never enacted. The draft was placed on hold and ultimately died in the legislative process in May 2025, meaning no policy changes were implemented.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill explicitly restricts sales of Montana wind/solar power, limiting renewable energy market expansion and development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar

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