Panel to Decide Whether to Propose Energy Policy Changes
A legislative committee will decide next week whether to propose changes to state law regarding energy policy.
The Energy and Telecommunications Interim Committee will meet Thursday, May 13, at 8 a.m. in Room 172 of the State Capitol. During the meeting, members may propose a draft energy policy statement and decide whether to pursue related legislation during the 2011 session. The committee will allow 30 days for public comment on any proposals it decides to move forward with.
Over the past eight months, the committee has discussed detailed energy policy statements related to electric transmission, energy resources, and other energy topics that will be further reviewed at the May 13 meeting. Those draft statements are available on the legislative Web site at www.leg.mt.gov/etic, along with a complete meeting agenda. During the meeting, the committee also will develop energy policy statements related to energy conservation and energy efficiency in new construction.
The committee was directed to study and possibly revise state energy policy through the enactment of Senate Bill 290 in 2009. Since then, it has held three public hearings and collected more than 440 pages of recommendations from about 200 Montanans.
Also at the May 13 meeting, the committee will:
learn about the “Call Before You Dig” program;
learn more about the recent purchase of Encore Acquisition Co. by Denbury Resources;
hear an update on implementation of a 2009 law directing the state Board of Oil and Gas to begin developing rules for geologic carbon sequestration permitting and regulation in Montana; and
hear an update on the work of the state Public Service Commission.
The meeting will be broadcast online at www.leg.mt.gov and over the state public-access television network TVMT. To find the local TVMT channel, visit www.leg.mt.gov/tvmt.
Members of the Energy and Telecommunications Interim Committee are Rep. Robyn Driscoll, D-Billings (chair); Sen. Jerry Black, R-Shelby (vice chair); Rep. Duane Ankney, R-Colstrip; Rep. Tony Belcourt, D-Box Elder; Sen. Ron Erickson, D-Missoula; Sen. Verdell Jackson, R-Kalispell; Rep. Harry Klock, R-Harlowton; and Sen. Cliff Larsen, D-Missoula.
For more information, contact Sonja Nowakowski, committee staff, at 406-444-3078 or snowakowski@mt.gov.
