Montana bills to alter renewable energy standards
Two of the measures — House Bills 207 and 208 — deal with a rule that is set to take effect in 2010 and requires utilities to buy energy from small producers.
One measure increases the qualifying size for a small producer, from 5 megawatts to 25 megawatts. The other extends the compliance deadline for utilities by two years.
Both of the bills have passed out of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee.
Opponents argue the bills are part of a cluster that would undermine renewable-energy standards passed in 2005.
NorthWestern Energy and Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. support House Bills 207 and 208.
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“We want to ensure Columbia basin communities are consulted, kept informed and have their voices heard,” said provincial cabinet minister Katrine Conroy via a press release announcing meetings this month in Castlegar, Golden, Revelstoke, Nakusp, Nelson and other communities.
As well as having cabinet responsibility for the talks, Conroy’s Kootenay West riding includes several places that were inundated under the terms of the 1964 flood control and…
