EQC to Consider Potential Bills on Biomass, Petroleum Tanks
The state Environmental Quality Council will meet next week to consider whether to pursue legislation related to the use of biomass for energy production, the removal and remediation of petroleum tank releases, and the use of streambeds.
The council also will review public comments it has received on biomass, recycling, and public access to private land for tourism and recreational activities.
The bipartisan council will meet at 9 a.m. July 22 and reconvene at 8 a.m. July 23 in Room 172 of the State Capitol in Helena. The public is welcome to attend and will have a chance to comment on the work of the council. A complete agenda is available at leg.mt.gov/eqc.
As a result of research the council initiated more than a year ago, members are considering whether to propose three changes to state law during the 2011 legislative session. These proposals would:
clarify the powers of the state Board of Environmental Review related to air-quality permitting and rulemaking for wood chippers and grinders;
allow regulated public utilities to recover fuel costs for biomass by filing automatic rate adjustments; and
authorize the use of mixing zones in the remediation and closure of petroleum release sites.
The council will take public comment on the proposals and decide whether to proceed with drafting bills.
Also during the meeting, the council will discuss, among other things:
fire suppression;
how the state Land Board intends to use money the Montana Supreme Court ordered PPL to pay in a streambed lawsuit;
legislation related to streambeds;
“land banking” of school trust lands;
water quality standards; and
grizzly bear management
The meeting will be broadcast via the legislative Web site at leg.mt.gov. It also will air on the state public access television network, TVMT. To find your local TVMT channel, visit leg.mt.gov/tvmt.
Members of the Environmental Quality Council are Rep. Chas Vincent, R-Libby (chair); Rep. Sue Dickenson, D-Great Falls; Rep. Julie French, D-Scobey; Sen. Brad Hamlett, D-Cascade; Sen. Jim Keane, D-Butte; Rep. Mike Milburn, R-Cascade; Sen. Rick Ripley, R-Wolf Creek; Sen. Jim Shockley, R-Victor; Rep. Cary Smith, R-Billings; Sen. Mitch Tropila, D-Great Falls; Sen. Bruce Tutvedt, R-Kalispell; and Rep. Franke Wilmer, D-Bozeman.
Also on the council are citizen members Jeff Pattison, Glasgow; Brian Cebull, Billings; Diane Conradi, Whitefish; and Mary Fitzpatrick, Billings. Mike Volesky of Helena represents the Governor’s Office.
For more information, contact Hope Stockwell, legislative research analyst, at 406-444-1640 or hstockwell@mt.gov.
