Panel to Review Public Comment on Energy Efficiency, Conservation
The Energy and Telecommunications Interim Committee (ETIC) of the Montana Legislature will meet Jan. 14 in Helena to consider suggestions from the public regarding energy efficiency and conservation.
The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. in Room 102 of the State Capitol. The public is welcome to attend and will have an opportunity to comment on the committee's work. A full agenda and other meeting materials are available at www.leg.mt.gov/etic.
Last September, the committee launched a study of the current state energy policy, as authorized by the 2009 Legislature in Senate Bill 290. The study will guide the committee as it decides whether to recommend revising the policy.
The committee has asked for public comment on several specific energy policy issues over the past months. At the Jan. 14 meeting, it will focus on the final three issues:
promoting energy efficiency incentives;
promoting conservation; and
increasing energy efficiency standards for new construction.
Representatives of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council have been invited to explain how, in 2008, improved energy efficiency reduced demand for electricity in the Northwest by an amount equal to the power use of about 148,000 homes. They also will present a new draft power plan that envisions meeting 58 percent of new electricity demand over the next five years with energy efficiencies.
Jim Baerg with Energy + Design, Bryan VonLossberg with Commons Link, and Eric Edelen with Bluestone Technologies will also discuss energy efficiency and conservation issues, including the use of "smart meters," to provide data about energy use.
In a related panel discussion, the ETIC will explore energy efficiency in new construction. Panelists will focus primarily on Montana building codes and recent efforts to adopt a new energy code. The panel will include private builders, as well as representatives of the state Department of Labor and Industry, Department of Environmental Quality, and Montana Building Industry Association.
The committee also will revisit an earlier discussion of coal-fired energy generation, alternative energy systems, and electricity rates. Members will decide which points deserve further consideration.
The meeting will be broadcast over the legislative Web site at www.leg.mt.gov and over the state public access television network, TVMT. To find the TVMT channel in your area, visit www.leg.mt.gov/tvmt.
For more information, contact Sonja Nowakowski, ETIC staffer, at 406-444-3078 or snowakowski@mt.gov.
The ETIC is chaired by Rep. Robyn Driscoll, D-Billings. Other members are Rep. Duane Ankney, R-Colstrip; Rep. Tony Belcourt, D-Box Elder; Rep. Harry Klock, R-Harlowton; Sen. Jerry Black, R-Shelby; Sen. Ron Erickson, D-Missoula; Sen. Verdell Jackson, R-Kalispell; and Sen. Cliff Larsen, D-Missoula.
