Energy

vetoed · Montana · Senate Jul 14, 2025

SB 188: Revising solar energy policy laws

SB 188 establishes Montana's "Solar Shares Act," creating a new framework for shared solar energy programs. It defines "shared solar facilities" (50kW-5MW systems serving multiple customers in the same utility area) and requires utilities to interconnect them, replacing net metering with "on-bill credits" for subscribing customers. Key provisions include: utilities must apply credits to subscribers' bills based on their share of generation, facilities must be within the utility's service territory, and credits can transfer between accounts or support low-income programs. The bill directly affects public utilities, shared solar facility owners, and residential/commercial customers who subscribe to shared solar.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEstablishes shared solar framework, mandates utility interconnection, replaces net metering with on-bill credits to expand renewable energy access and customer participation in solar programs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 171: Transfer a portion of ending fund balance into the coal trust fund

SB 171 requires that 10% of excess state general fund revenue, after meeting budget stability and capital projects fund thresholds, be transferred to the Montana coal severance tax permanent fund (coal trust fund). This bill amends Montana's budget law to direct a portion of surplus funds - specifically, funds exceeding established reserve levels - to the coal trust fund instead of remaining in the general fund. The transfer applies when the budget stabilization reserve fund and capital projects fund exceed 16% and 12% of general revenue appropriations, respectively. The coal trust fund, which supports coal-related programs, would receive this additional funding without altering the state's primary budget processes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects surplus funds to coal trust fund, funding tax-related program per budget reallocation85% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyTransfers funds to coal trust fund, favoring fossil fuel revenue over renewable energy initiatives per bill's focus on coal severance tax.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Energy

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 505: Generally revise zoning laws to prohibit the construction of wind generation facilities.

SB 505 would amend Montana's zoning laws to allow local governments to prohibit the construction of wind energy facilities by preventing utility companies from connecting power from these projects. Specifically, it targets subsection (28) of Section 7-1-111, which would permit local governments to block utility connections for wind generation facilities defined under state law. This bill directly affects wind energy developers and local planning authorities, as it removes a key barrier to project development. The policy change focuses on utility interconnection as the mechanism for restricting wind facility construction, rather than general zoning rules. The bill did not become law, as it died in committee in 2025.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBlocks utility connections for wind projects, directly restricting renewable energy development per bill's zoning amendments.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Energy

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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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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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 | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Energy

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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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 349: Declare authority over existing fossil-fuel fired electric generating units

SB 349 would have transferred authority over air and water quality regulations for existing fossil fuel power plants in Montana from the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), making DEQ the sole permitting authority for these facilities. It claims federal EPA rules lack authority to restrict plant operations without requiring "significant economic investment" from plant owners and utilities. The bill includes a contingency that would void it if the EPA repeals two specific 2024 rules (89 Fed. Reg. 38508 and 39798). This bill died in committee in May 2025 and never became law.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill transfers EPA regulatory authority for fossil fuel plants to state, claiming federal rules require "significant economic investment". This weakens federal environmental oversight, favoring fossil fuel operations over clean energy transition.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill transfers EPA environmental authority to state DEQ, claiming federal rules require costly investments. This weakens federal oversight for fossil fuel plants, reducing regulatory burden and likely increasing pollution.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Energy

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 294: Requiring public utilities to report a plan for 100% renewables

SB 294 requires Montana's public utilities (like electricity providers) to create a detailed plan by May 2026 showing how they will source 100% of their retail electricity from renewable energy (including hydroelectric power) and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The plan must outline specific options, timelines, and challenges for achieving these goals, aligning with Montana's constitutional duty to protect the environment. Utilities must submit these plans to the Energy and Telecommunications Interim Committee by June 2026, which will review them, gather public input, and recommend changes to the next legislature. The bill takes immediate effect upon passage but is currently inactive after dying in committee.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates utilities to develop 100% renewable energy plans by 2026, advancing clean energy transition and environmental protection per bill's explicit requirements.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates 100% renewable energy plans, reduces emissions, aligns with constitutional environmental duty per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 445: Create transparency in energy economics

SB 445, "Montana Transparency in Energy Economics Act," would have required investor-owned utilities to create a public energy dashboard by June 2026 showing real-time data on power sources, grid contributions, and costs per megawatt hour. Public utilities would have needed to provide quarterly reports detailing power sources (like coal, wind, solar), consumption by customer class, and costs. The bill directly affects residential and small commercial customers (defined as using ~750 kWh monthly) by making energy billing costs more visible. However, the bill died in committee on May 23, 2025, and never became law.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates public reporting on renewable sources (wind/solar), grid data, and costs, promoting transparency for consumer awareness and informed energy choices.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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