The 2021 Montana Legislative Session is an important one, for the climate and more. We're so glad you're here!
Jump right in via our Action Alert (note: descriptions of each bill follows just below, click on the "+" sign).
And if you are new to this or need a refresher, scroll down for all the "How To's".
Jump right in via our Action Alert (note: descriptions of each bill follows just below, click on the "+" sign).
And if you are new to this or need a refresher, scroll down for all the "How To's".
ACTION ALERT - Week of May 17
So, we've done it. We made it to Sine-Die (end of the session) after a harrowing couple of months. But the work isn't done yet; there are still some bills that have been passed that we need Governor Gianforte to VETO. Check out the list of bills below that impact local climate action and how to speak up. Your voice matters--keep using it! Again, a huge thanks to our friends at MEIC -- their new Legislative Tracker made engaging with this session easier than ever. Check it out here!
THE FINAL ACT: Bills we need A VETO on!
These bills unfortunately all passed the legislature this sessions, so the buck stops here at Governor Gianforte's desk, and he is signing bad bills at a fast pace. Read about the remaining bills that need vetoes, and then use the two buttons below to either leave a voicemail or write an email to Governor Gianforte calling on him to do so!
HB 188: ABSURD EV REGISTRATION FEES
This bill will drastically increase registration fees for electric vehicles. The bill would require electric vehicle owners to pay an annual registration fee of $150 for an electric vehicle weighing less than or equal to a ton, $250 for an electric vehicle more than a ton, and $500 for an electric vehicle with three or more axles. These fees are more than what our neighboring states pay annually for electric vehicle fees and would discourage Montanans from purchasing electric vehicles.
We have been tracking bills related to clean energy and climate with help from Montana Renewable Energy Association (MREA), MEIC, MCV and others. It takes all of us! Note the list of tabled (likely dead) bills can be found at the bottom of the page.
How to Participate and Advocate
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Three EASY ways to make your voice heard on a bill.
Register to testify virtually. You must register by NOON the day before the hearing.
Call the Capitol and request to leave messages for the committee members or an individual legislator. Leave a message Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (8 a.m. until adjournment on Saturdays).
Write to a committee or individual legislator via the online form. Not sure who your representative is? Look them up HERE.
Quick Links
Write a Letter to the Editor
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Here's how to advocate and keep up with the sessionMEIC hosts information sessions every Thursday at 5pm through April to make sure you are prepared to participate and know what' bills need our input. If you would like to participate in a session, please click this link on Thursday at 5pm. If you have any further questions, email MEIC's Conor Ploeger.
A recorded version of this training and a written guide from the Montana Free Press are also below. This guide - by Montana Free Press - is essential for this topsy-turvy COVID session. Everything you need to know to be an effective advocate for what you care about!
MT Free Press also has this amazing Capital Tracker - a calendar with links to all the hearings and updated daily! |
Connect with Our Partners
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These folks are paying attention every day, helping all of us stay up to date on the issues that matter to clean energy, climate and mores!
MREA plays a crucial role in keeping solar available and affordable. MEIC has been doing this for decades. Sign up for their e-alerts here. Their 2021 Legislature page and bill tracker are good to keep bookmarked to stay up to date on the issues that matter to clean energy! |
TABLED (LIKELY DEAD) BILLS
SB 379 - OPPOSE. This bill would strongarm customers of NorthWestern Energy to pay more than $1 billion to keep Colstrip Unit 4 operating indefinitely, including a guaranteed profit for NWE, and would interfere with the PSC's ability to protect Montanans from rate increases related to increased NWE ownership and extended operation of the 35-year old coal-fired power plant.
SB 260 - OPPOSE. This bill would have allowed a business or corporation the ability to sue Montana government if it believes it has been harmed by a regulation or permit denial. This bill could be enormously costly to the State budget, and make it more challenging to govern and protect clean air, water and achieve climate action.
SB 264 (Sen. Mary McNally, D-Billings) - SUPPORT. This bill would have allowed the Public Service Commission to adopt rules to require competitive bidding and the acquisition of least cost resources in order to protect consumers and guarantee fair competition whenever an electric utility wants to acquire more generation resources.
SB 197 (Sen. Janet Ellis, D-Helena) - SUPPORT. This bill would have made it easier for developers to build small-scale community renewable energy projects and sell the electricity to NorthWestern Energy. The bill would eliminate the requirement that developers of these small projects must live in Montana, something NorthWestern has used to avoid purchasing electricity from these community-based projects.
HB 314 (Rep. Braxton Mitchell, R-Billings) - OPPOSE. This bill would have required the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) to consider the lost tax revenue, jobs, and other economic impacts when considering the closure or sale of a coal-fired power plant (e.g. Colstrip). The bill entirely ignored the benefits to utility customers and the environment that would result from the closure or sale of a coal-fired power plant.
HB 245 (Rep. Larry Brewster, R-Billings) - OPPOSE. HB 245 would have made it easier for NorthWestern Energy to overcharge customers for expensive new gas plants. The bill increases the burden on the Public Service Commission (PSC) when it decides whether NWE can charge customers for electricity generating resources such as pricey new gas plants.
HB 99 (Rep. Denise Hayman, D-Bozeman) - SUPPORT. HB 99 would have eliminated utility pre-approval. Unlike most utilities, NorthWestern can request the PSC to approve its purchase of a generating resource and pass all of the costs and risks on to customers instead of allowing the shareholders to bear the initial risk.
SB 85 (Sen Duane Ankney, R-Colstrip) - OPPOSE. SB 85 would double or even quadruple the taxes on wind projects in Montana. This tax increase would make it less economically viable for wind developers to build projects here. The legislature should be making it easier for this renewable energy to flourish. On January 29th the bill was tabled in committee.
HB 17 (Rep. Hamilton) – SUPPORT. This bill would have allowed the Alternative Energy System Tax Credit to be fully refundable. Right now, Montanans with small tax liability are not able to claim the full $500 ($1,000/household) making an up front investment in renewables more challenging. Making the credit refundable would have allowed Montanans to claim the full amount, increasing access to solar and wind systems and helping more Montanans lock in long-term, affordable energy costs while stimulating local economies. The bill passed the Revenue Interim Committee in 2020 but has now been tabled.
HB 150 (Rep. Mary Ann Dunwell, D-Helena) - SUPPORT. HB 150 would have required large sources of greenhouse gases (i.e., coal-fired power plants and natural gas plants) to pay $10 per ton of GHG they emit and required the state to develop and implement a plan to reduce emissions below 2005 levels by 25% by 2035 and 50% by 2050. The revenue generated by HB 150 would have gone toward coal community transition, remediation of contaminated sites, economic development, infrastructure, tribal community assistance, and the state general fund.
HB 128 (Rep. Linda Reksten) - SUPPORT. HB 128 would have established a renewable energy trust fund using money from existing taxes on renewable energy. The trust fund would have been used to help fund programs that are losing funding due to the decline in coal tax trust fund revenues.
SB 260 - OPPOSE. This bill would have allowed a business or corporation the ability to sue Montana government if it believes it has been harmed by a regulation or permit denial. This bill could be enormously costly to the State budget, and make it more challenging to govern and protect clean air, water and achieve climate action.
SB 264 (Sen. Mary McNally, D-Billings) - SUPPORT. This bill would have allowed the Public Service Commission to adopt rules to require competitive bidding and the acquisition of least cost resources in order to protect consumers and guarantee fair competition whenever an electric utility wants to acquire more generation resources.
SB 197 (Sen. Janet Ellis, D-Helena) - SUPPORT. This bill would have made it easier for developers to build small-scale community renewable energy projects and sell the electricity to NorthWestern Energy. The bill would eliminate the requirement that developers of these small projects must live in Montana, something NorthWestern has used to avoid purchasing electricity from these community-based projects.
HB 314 (Rep. Braxton Mitchell, R-Billings) - OPPOSE. This bill would have required the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) to consider the lost tax revenue, jobs, and other economic impacts when considering the closure or sale of a coal-fired power plant (e.g. Colstrip). The bill entirely ignored the benefits to utility customers and the environment that would result from the closure or sale of a coal-fired power plant.
HB 245 (Rep. Larry Brewster, R-Billings) - OPPOSE. HB 245 would have made it easier for NorthWestern Energy to overcharge customers for expensive new gas plants. The bill increases the burden on the Public Service Commission (PSC) when it decides whether NWE can charge customers for electricity generating resources such as pricey new gas plants.
HB 99 (Rep. Denise Hayman, D-Bozeman) - SUPPORT. HB 99 would have eliminated utility pre-approval. Unlike most utilities, NorthWestern can request the PSC to approve its purchase of a generating resource and pass all of the costs and risks on to customers instead of allowing the shareholders to bear the initial risk.
SB 85 (Sen Duane Ankney, R-Colstrip) - OPPOSE. SB 85 would double or even quadruple the taxes on wind projects in Montana. This tax increase would make it less economically viable for wind developers to build projects here. The legislature should be making it easier for this renewable energy to flourish. On January 29th the bill was tabled in committee.
HB 17 (Rep. Hamilton) – SUPPORT. This bill would have allowed the Alternative Energy System Tax Credit to be fully refundable. Right now, Montanans with small tax liability are not able to claim the full $500 ($1,000/household) making an up front investment in renewables more challenging. Making the credit refundable would have allowed Montanans to claim the full amount, increasing access to solar and wind systems and helping more Montanans lock in long-term, affordable energy costs while stimulating local economies. The bill passed the Revenue Interim Committee in 2020 but has now been tabled.
HB 150 (Rep. Mary Ann Dunwell, D-Helena) - SUPPORT. HB 150 would have required large sources of greenhouse gases (i.e., coal-fired power plants and natural gas plants) to pay $10 per ton of GHG they emit and required the state to develop and implement a plan to reduce emissions below 2005 levels by 25% by 2035 and 50% by 2050. The revenue generated by HB 150 would have gone toward coal community transition, remediation of contaminated sites, economic development, infrastructure, tribal community assistance, and the state general fund.
HB 128 (Rep. Linda Reksten) - SUPPORT. HB 128 would have established a renewable energy trust fund using money from existing taxes on renewable energy. The trust fund would have been used to help fund programs that are losing funding due to the decline in coal tax trust fund revenues.
Photo credit: Tim Spangler
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Testifying for a healthy climate, when it was safe to do so!
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Solar Jobs Rally in Helena when it was safe to gather! |
