2003 Montana Legislature

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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 16

INTRODUCED BY MENDENHALL, F. THOMAS

 

A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA URGING PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH AND THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO EXTEND THE EXISTING FEDERAL TAX WIND POWER CREDIT.

 

     WHEREAS, electricity generated from the innate power of wind produces no negative impacts on air quality or water quality; and

     WHEREAS, Montana ranks fifth in the nation among states known to have the best natural wind power potential, yet Montana does not have any commercially generated wind power; and

     WHEREAS, the Legislature believes that in-state wind-generated electricity would benefit Montana consumers, the economy, and economic development; and

     WHEREAS, the Legislature has adopted policies calling for electricity generation alternatives, including wind-generated electricity, to be part of the mix of power sources available to meet Montana's future electricity needs; and

     WHEREAS, tax credits and other federal incentives have played a vital role in encouraging the development of both traditional energy resources, such as oil and gas, and newer energy sources, such as ethanol and wind; and

     WHEREAS, the existing federal tax credit has been successfully encouraging the steady improvement of wind generation technologies and has made it possible to produce wind-generated electricity at a favorable price; and

     WHEREAS, the existing federal tax credit will expire at the end of 2003 and it now may be too late for a wind generation facility to be constructed in Montana and be operating in time to qualify for the existing federal tax credit; and

     WHEREAS, the effectiveness and timeliness of Montana's efforts to begin developing its wind generation potential, both for its economic development value and to help meet the state's future energy needs, will benefit greatly from having continuity in incentives and policies affecting the economics and practicality of wind power; and

     WHEREAS, the United States Congress should expeditiously extend the existing federal tax credit so that prospective planning and development of future wind generation projects will continue without the interruption and delay that the pending expiration of the tax credit would allow.

 

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

     That the Montana Legislature urges the President and the United States Congress to extend the existing federal tax credit that promotes research and development of America's wind power potential and to do so as soon as possible.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Secretary of State send copies of this resolution to President George W. Bush and the members of the Montana Congressional Delegation.

- END -

 


Latest Version of HJ 16 (HJ0016.ENR)
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