Montana Legislature

2005 Legislation

Want to know what happened during the 2005 Legislature? The following information summarizes energy bills that came before our lawmakers during the 2005 Legislative Session.

Renewable Energy

SB 415 - Montana Renewable Power Production and Rural Economic Development Act

This Act would create a Renewable Energy Standard to encourage the development of Montana's wind resource, diversify our energy supply, and promote investment in rural Montana. An amendment was added in the House Energy Committee which greatly limits the bill's effectiveness. In contrast, the Governor's Amendment provides rock-solid consumer protection without compromising the basic purposes of the act. Read More »
Status: Became law

SB 50 - Revise alternative energy system loan laws.

Strengthens the alternative energy loan program, and expands it to include conservation.
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Status: Became law

SB 83

Clarifies renewable energy projects eligible for renewable resource grants-loans
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Status: Became law

SB 115 - Equitable taxation of wind energy facilities.

The goal of this bill is to reduce property taxes for wind projects.
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Status: Became law

Energy Efficiency/Conservation

HB 212 - Energy performance contracting for public buildings.

Universal Systems Benefits

HB 141 - Revise electricity universal system benefit laws

This bill would make a number of changes to USB, including an extension of the program through the end of 2009.
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Status: Probably dead

HB 136 - Clarify universal system benefits for cost-effective

Renewable resource projects. Read More »
Status: Probably dead

SB 34 - Revise universal system benefits laws

This bill would also extend the USB program through 2009, but would change the allocation. Currently, the law specifies that a minimum of 17% of the funds must go to low income. The bill proposes increasing that figure to 40%.
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Status: Probably dead

SB 307 - Generally revise universal system benefits charges

Net Metering

HB 121 - Revise net metering laws

This bill would extend the net metering law to include the rural electric cooperatives and Montana-Dakota Utilities (MDU). Read More »
Status: Probably dead

SB 256 - Uniform net metering standards

Other Energy Bills

HB 464 - Expand production and use of ethanol

HB 642 - Authorize local governing entities to become default suppliers.

SB 364 (Sen. Greg Lind) - Environmental Labeling and Disclosure for Electric Utilities

Directs electric utilities to report fuel mix and environmental information to their customers twice per year.
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Status: probably dead