Energy

HB 120 expands Montana's Commercial Property-Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program to include multifamily housing facilities with at least five residential units. This change directly affects property owners and developers of qualifying multifamily buildings (e.g., apartment complexes), allowing them to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades through property assessments. The bill amends definitions to explicitly include these residential properties under the program, covering improvements like insulation, solar panels, and energy-efficient appliances. It maintains the existing financing mechanism where costs are repaid through property taxes over time, without requiring new debt or upfront payments from property owners. The law took effect immediately upon the governor's signature on April 7, 2025.

This Montana House resolution (HR 2) expresses legislative support for expanding critical minerals development within the state. It urges state, federal, tribal, and local entities to advance exploration, processing, and recycling of minerals like rare earth elements, platinum group metals, and others found in Montana's geology. The resolution highlights Montana's existing mining infrastructure and aims to strengthen domestic supply chains for technologies, energy, and defense - reducing reliance on foreign sources like China. As a symbolic resolution (not binding law), it directs Montana's delegation to advocate for these projects but does not create new regulations or funding.