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 No ✗ Opposes 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 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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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 | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Energy

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 | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Energy

signed · Montana · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 333: Repeal sunset on coal washing credit

Senate Bill 333 repeals the termination date for the existing coal severance tax coal washing credit. This credit, previously set to expire on July 1, 2027, will now continue indefinitely. The bill directly affects coal mining companies and processors that utilize coal washing and are subject to the coal severance tax, allowing them to continue claiming this tax credit.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends coal severance tax credit indefinitely, providing ongoing tax relief to coal mining companies, directly supporting tax policy in Budget & Taxes.90% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyExtends tax credit for coal washing, supporting fossil fuel industry over renewable energy transition per bill's focus on coal severance tax continuation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Energy

signed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 703: Exempt GHG emissions analysis for appliances, vehicles, engines

HB 703 exempts specific state and local agencies in Montana from analyzing greenhouse gas emissions during certain environmental reviews. The bill states that the state department and local building departments are no longer required to analyze greenhouse gas emissions from covered appliances when adopting or enforcing building codes. It also exempts the state department from analyzing greenhouse gas emissions from new motor vehicles, engines, and nonroad vehicles, and emissions originating outside the state's borders. The bill cites federal preemption laws as the basis for these exemptions from environmental review.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill removes GHG emissions analysis for appliances/vehicles, weakening environmental standards that would promote cleaner energy products and reduce emissions.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves mandatory GHG emissions analysis for appliances/vehicles, weakening environmental review requirements per bill text95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Energy

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 | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Energy

passed both · Montana · House May 6, 2025

HJ 17: Resolution regarding energy

House Joint Resolution 17 is a resolution from the Montana Legislature urging the U.S. Congress and President to take actions to promote American energy production. It calls for reforming and streamlining federal permitting obligations and revising environmental regulations that are deemed not to align with national security interests. The resolution specifically recommends that the Environmental Protection Agency immediately review and potentially suspend, revise, or rescind certain power plant regulations issued in May 2024.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyCalls to reform permitting and environmental regulations to promote energy production, opposing regulatory barriers to fossil fuel development.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentCalls to suspend or revise EPA power plant regulations, weakening environmental protections to prioritize energy production.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Energy

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