A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA REQUESTING THAT CONGRESS, THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION, AND THE WESTERN AREA POWER ADMINISTRATION BE ENCOURAGED TO KEEP ENERGY RATES STABLE FOR MONTANA'S VITALLY IMPORTANT MISSOURI BASIN IRRIGATION POWER AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.

WHEREAS, the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program (P-SMBP) is a federal project initiated in 1944 to provide low-cost pumping power to irrigation developments; and

WHEREAS, the P-SMBP irrigation development in Montana has successfully contributed to Montana's economic well being; and

WHEREAS, the Bureau of Reclamation and the Western Area Power Administration, responding to external pressures, are poised to implement a significant increase in energy rates from 2.5 mills a kilowatt hour to 11 to 15 mills a kilowatt hour for Montana irrigation districts operating P-SMBP projects; and

WHEREAS, the Bureau of Reclamation and the Western Area Power Administration, responding to external pressures, are preparing to transfer wheeling responsibility on nonfederal transmission systems outside the P-SMBP, thus becoming the direct responsibility of the irrigators.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

That Congress, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the Western Area Power Administration be encouraged to keep energy rates stable or at their current level of 2.5 mills a kilowatt hour and to maintain all wheeling responsibilities within the P-SMBP.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Secretary of State send copies of this resolution to the Montana Congressional Delegation and to the directors of the Bureau of Reclamation and the Western Area Power Administration.

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I hereby certify that the within joint resolution,

HJ 0027, originated in the House.

Chief Clerk of the House

Speaker of the House

Signed this	day

of	, .

President of the Senate

Signed this	day

of	, .

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 27

INTRODUCED BY B. STORY, J. BARNETT, D. ADAMS, P. CLARK, R. DALE, B. EGGERS,

M. GUGGENHEIM, D. HEDGES, J. HOLDEN, J. HURDLE, V. JACKSON, R. LENHART, M. LINDEEN,

G. MASOLO, B. RYAN, F. SMITH, B. THOMAS, C. TREXLER

BY REQUEST OF THE HOUSE AGRICULTURE STANDING COMMITTEE

A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA REQUESTING THAT CONGRESS, THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION, AND THE WESTERN AREA POWER ADMINISTRATION BE ENCOURAGED TO KEEP ENERGY RATES STABLE FOR MONTANA'S VITALLY IMPORTANT MISSOURI BASIN IRRIGATION POWER AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.