Montana bills to alter renewable energy standards
MONTANA - Lawmakers are considering changing Montana's renewable energy purchasing requirements through a number of measures during the 2009 legislative session.
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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The gloves are off - Alberta suspends electricity purchase talks with B.C.
EDMONTON - Alberta Premier Rachel Notley says her government is suspending talks with British Columbia on the purchase of electricity from the western province.
It’s the first step in Alberta’s fight against the B.C. government’s proposal to obstruct the Kinder Morgan oil pipeline expansion project by banning increased shipments of diluted bitumen to the province’s coast.
Up to $500 million annually for B.C.’s coffers hangs in the balance, Notley said.
“We’re prepared to do what it takes to get this pipeline built — whatever it takes,” she told a news conference Thursday after speaking with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the phone.
Notley said…
