Archive for Energy
The Montana House is endorsing a compromise for carbon sequestration, the technology many see as the future for the coal industry.
Senate Bill 498 would set rules governing how carbon dioxide is stored underground in Montana.
Although no company currently has a plant capable of stripping potentially harmful carbon out of coal during the burning process, many say it will have to be done in the future to meet potential greenhouse gas rules.
Both the coal industry and environmentalist groups have pushed for different versions of the bill.
Critics say lawmakers are writing rules for a technology that doesn’t even exist, and talking about a complex issue they know nothing about.
The House gave initial endorsement to the idea on a 77-23 vote, and it faces a final vote in the chamber.
By MIKE DENNISON
A House panel has killed one of the session’s major bills that would narrow environmental appeals of development projects, but another such measure is still alive - and likely headed for passage.
The bill that bit the dust Monday in the House Federal Relations, Energy and Telecommunications Committee is Senate Bill 387, sponsored by Sen. Keith Bales, R-Otter. Read More→
HB 582 - Training for Green Jobs
Posted by:HB 582, sponsored by Rep. Mary Caffero (D-Helena) was heard Tuesday before the House Business and Labor committee. HB 582, titled “Green Jobs Training Program” looks to provide for training programs, administered through the Department of Labor to assist displaced workers, or workers in need of job training in the energy efficiency, energy conservation and renewable energy or reclamation sectors. Read More→
HB 425, sponsored by Rep. JP Pomnichowski (D-Bozeman) was heard Wednesday, February 18th before the House Natural Resources committee. HB 425, titled “Public Notice for Oil/Gas leases on State Land” would make law public notification on any new oil or gas leases on state land, either through mail, newsprint or through hearing. Read More→
Local Control in Energy Efficiency Standards
Posted by:Rep. Michele Reinhart (D – Missoula) is no novice when it comes to bringing environmentally friendly legislation to the Montana House of Representatives. Her latest bill would allow for more local control in developing energy efficient building codes. House Bill 420 will allow for counties, cities, or towns with building code enforcement programs to adopt energy conservation standards for new construction as long as the standards adopted exceed state energy building code standards. Read More→
"I think that it’s going to all work out, with the changes that we have agreed to. It’s not as much (spending for some programs) as I would’ve hoped, but apparently it’s more than other people wanted. As usual, we are trying to find the middle.” 
"[On term limits:] You empower the executive, you empower the lobbyists and that's not good for the system because then we lose what the citizen Legislature brings.” 