MCV Legislative Hotlist: March 9, 2009
Submitted by Sarah Cobler on March 9, 2009 - 3:52pm. Legislature
March 9th, 2009
Dear Conservation Voter,
Fun stuff in Helena this week!
Montana Conservation Voters hosts our Annual Meeting and 10th Anniversary Celebreation this Friday, March 13th, at the Shrine Temple in Helena. Read more about this kickin' event on our website. Also, MCV members converge in Helena at 9:00am the same Friday for Lobby Day. Please come join other conservationists, and remind lawmakers that conservation values are Montana values!
Now that you know about the big party, let's get to work.
Help define Montana's energy future.
Does the Montana Legislature have an energy vision? So far this session, we've seen legislators attempt to weaken the renewable energy standard, strip environmental protections and push through old crush and burn coal projects at any cost. New vision? Hardly.
These bills need steadfast attention from concerned conservationists, to ensure we end the session with energy policy that lessens the heavy load on consumers' power bills, creates jobs through renewable energy and energy efficiency, decreases harmful CO2 emissions, and moves us into the 21st century.
This week, the House Energy committee hears three bills that are so last century they need a cart and buggy:
- SB 440 (Sen. Gebhart, R-Roundup), exempts all air pollution permits from the Montana Environmental Policy Act,
- SB 257 (Sen. Keane, D-Butte), destroys the renewable energy standard and reciprocal incentives for new renewable energy development by allowing dam owners, chiefly PP&L, to count routine upgrades at large dams toward the standard (and therefore reap the financial benefits), and
- SB 481 (Sen. Barkus, R-Kalispell), exempts all projects associated with federal stimulus money from the Montana Environmental Policy Act, potentially including massive gravel pits for construction.
Please call 444.4800 and leave a message for members of the House Energy committee. Ask them to oppose energy policy that hurts consumers and the environment, including SB 440, SB 257 and SB 481.
Don't be dismayed. Just in the nick of time, a great bill that moves Montana forward. Rep. Noonan introduces HB 641, a perfect energy efficiency bookend to the renewable energy standard.
HB 641, sponsored by Rep. Art Noonan (D- Butte), chair of the House Energy committee, will give Montana another chance to lead the nation in energy policy.
Before I tell you too much about the bill, a little quiz...
What is the cheapest source of energy in Montana? Power from:
- A new coal fired power plant,
- An existing crush and burn coal fired power plant,
- A wind farm,
- Solar energy, or
- Energy conservation and efficiency.
You guessed it... the least expensive energy is energy we don't need to produce at all - energy conservation and efficiency. HB 641 takes a moderate approach to an energy efficiency standard that works great in 18 other states. It requires electric and natural gas utilities to develop energy efficiency assessments and to achieve energy savings targets. Read more about the bill here.
The House Energy committee hears HB 641 on Wednesday, March 18th at 3pm. Pave the road toward a new energy economy now by contacting legislators on the committee.
Call members of the House Energy committee at 444.4800. Ask them to support HB 641, Rep. Noonan's energy efficiency standard.
As always, thanks for reading.
Sarah Cobler, Program Director and Lobbyist
P.S. Next week, learn about the forthcoming energy efficiency in schools bill, sponsored by chair of the House Education committee, Rep. Wanda Grinde.
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| househotlist20090309.pdf | 29.31 KB |
| senatehotlist20090309.pdf | 61.51 KB |
