MCV Legislative Hotlist: March 16, 2009
Submitted by Sarah Cobler on March 16, 2009 - 4:00pm. Legislature
TAKE ACTION NOW TO DEFINE
MONTANA'S ENERGY FUTURE!
Dear Conservation Voter,
Help define Montana's energy future this week. Two great bills move Montana forward. Help make them law by calling or emailing your legislator today.
Rep. Noonan (D-Butte) introduced HB 641, a perfect energy efficiency bookend to Montana's renewable energy standard. HB 641 gives Montana another chance to lead the nation in energy policy. This measure is a common-sense, solution to rising energy costs and economic pressures facing Montanans. The bill requires major gas and electric utilities to mine the system for energy resources through efficiency.
The Montana Governor's Climate Change Advisory Committee estimates if a measure like HB 641 was implemented, the state would save $141 million on energy from 2007-2020. Other benefits include:
- Lower energy bills for consumers
- New good paying jobs in a Montana based energy efficiency industry
- Enhanced self-sufficiency
- Less need for expensive new power plants
- Increased reliability and safety of our electric grid and natural gas system
- Reduced emissions of pollutants from power plants
Specifically, this bill requires gas and electric utilities that serve more than 20,000 customers to:
- Conduct a study to estimate how much energy could be saved on their systems by 2020
- Set biennial goals for reducing energy use through 2020
- Implement all cost-effective energy efficiency measures to meet the goals
- Pay into a low-income energy services program fund if the goals are not met
The House Energy committee hears HB 641 on Monday, March 23rd at 3pm. Pave the road toward a green energy economy by acting now!
- Call members of the House Energy committee at 444.4800. Ask them to support HB 641, Rep. Noonan's energy efficiency standard. Or email them using the Online Message Form. Members of the Committee are: Art Noonan, Robyn Driscoll, Harry Klock, Shannon Augare, Carlie Boland, Llew Jones, Mike Jopek, Gary MacLaren, Jesse O'Hara, Mike Phillips, Keith Regier, Scott Reichner, Wayne Stahl and Brady Wiseman.
- Write a letter to the editor supporting the bill using the talking points above.
Support HB 646, a program funding energy efficiency improvements in public schools, sponsored by Rep. Wanda Grinde (D-Billings).
While schools are struggling to make ends meet, high energy bills are making things worse. Schools should not have to choose between paying their music teachers or paying the heating bill.
In December 2007, the Legislative Fiscal Division reported that 40 percent of Montana schools will not have enough money to continue their 2007-08 programs in 2008-09. At the same time, electricity rates for most of Montana are the highest in the region. An assessment of Montana schools found they spent $27 million in 2007 on power bills. A 30% reduction in energy use would save our schools over $8 million annually, directing more scarce resources into the classroom.
HB 641 addresses the ongoing energy expense drain on our schools, producing benefits for Montana:
- Provides mechanism to translate the one-time federal stimulus infusion into ongoing cost savings
- Efficiently uses tax dollars
- Creates jobs- every $10 million in additional energy efficiency improvements creates 160 short-term and 30 long-term jobs
- Reduces pollution
The House Appropriations committee hears HB 646 on Wednesday, March 18th at 8am. Act now to help pass the bill!
- Call members of the House Appropriations committee at 444.4800, especially if your legislator is on the committee. Ask them to support HB 646, Rep. Grinde's energy efficient schools bill. Or, email them at
- Write a letter to the editor supporting the bill using the talking points above.
As always, thanks for reading.
Sarah Cobler, Program Director and Lobbyist
P.S. Check out our 10th Anniversary video, featuring MCV legislators, MCV leaders and environmental advocates!| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| househotlist20090316.pdf | 27.65 KB |
| senatehotlist20090316.pdf | 24.44 KB |
