A legislative committee is asking for public comments by July 3 on a draft report that discusses the history and potential of public power models in Montana.
Since the 2007 session, the Energy and Telecommunications Interim Committee (ETIC) has been evaluating the public power model, its potential and operation in Montana, and the role the state could and has played in a public power scenario. The draft report finds that Montanans are likely to continue their interest in the idea of public power.
Comments on the draft report will be compiled and presented to the ETIC at a July 17 meeting in Helena. The committee will consider a final version of the report in September.
Public power in its many forms has a long history in Montana. In the past decade, lawmakers have pursued a variety of legislation related to public power, and citizens have unsuccessfully initiated their own efforts to create a public power commission. Currently in Montana, electrical cooperatives and municipal power operations serve as examples of the public power model.
Because the issue of public power continues to come before the Montana Legislature and Montana voters, ETIC members agreed that a report offering some background on the issue could be useful to lawmakers and the public. The ETIC at this time is not contemplating public power legislation, according to Sonja Nowakowski, staffer for the committee.
The full report, "Perspectives on Public Power: A Review of the Public Power Model, Its History, and Its Potential in Montana," is available online at www.leg.mt.gov/etic. Copies also may be obtained from ETIC staff by calling (406) 444-3078.
Comments may be submitted by e-mail to snowakowski@mt.gov. Please include "public power study" in the subject line. Comments also may be submitted by mail to Sonja Nowakowski, Legislative Environmental Policy Office, P.O. Box 201704, Helena, MT 59620-1704.
