Public Invited to Comment on Montana’s Proposed State Energy Policy

The Energy and Telecommunications Interim Committee of the Montana Legislature is seeking public comment through July 7 on a proposed state energy policy.

Over the past year, the bipartisan committee has been studying the state’s existing energy policy, as directed by the 2009 Legislature through enactment of Senate Bill 290. After several meetings and public hearings, the legislators agreed to expand the existing policy. The committee’s work has resulted in two pieces of draft legislation for potential consideration by the 2011 Legislature, as well as a draft energy report that discusses the process the committee used to reach its conclusions.

All three documents are now available for public comment on the ETIC Web site at http://www.leg.mt.gov/etic.

The ETIC will meet July 28-29 in Helena to review and discuss the public comments it receives and consider whether to revise the report, its findings, or the draft legislation.

Public comments should be submitted to Sonja Nowakowski, ETIC staff, at [email protected] (put energy policy in the subject line) or to Legislative Services Division, Attn. Sonja Nowakowski, P.O. Box 201704, Helena, MT 59620-1704.

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 Nowakowski at 406-444-3078.