Missoula County opposes SB 331: Establish the Montana energy security act, on the Senate floor this afternoon. The bill would reduce the Public Service Commission's (PSC) oversight of NorthWestern Energy related to its partial ownership of the Colstrip coal-fired power plant. The role of the PSC is to protect utility ratepayers by reviewing and approving utility costs before they are passed through to ratepayers, however this bill would undermine the PSC's authority by authorizing NorthWestern to pass through a variety of Colstrip-related costs without PSC approval. By reducing PSC oversight of NorthWestern Energy, it shifts the costs and risks of NorthWestern's decisions related to Colstrip from the utility to its ratepayers, which includes residents, business, and government entities in Missoula County.
In addition, by encouraging NorthWestern to increase its reliance on coal, this bill runs contrary to Missoula County's goal to reduce our contribution to climate change. In March 2019, the county established a goal of carbon neutrality in county government operations by 2035. On April 3, Missoula County and the City of Missoula will consider a joint resolution that establishes a goal of 100% clean electricity for the Missoula urban area. Achieving these goals will require that we work with NorthWestern Energy to accelerate the shift to cleaner generating sources. SB 331 would undermine these efforts by encouraging NorthWestern to double down on coal.
Missoula County opposes SB 331: Establish the Montana energy security act, up for hearing in House Energy, Technology, and Federal Relations this afternoon. The bill would reduce the Public Service Commission's (PSC) oversight of NorthWestern Energy related to its partial ownership of the Colstrip coal-fired power plant. The role of the PSC is to protect utility ratepayers by reviewing and approving utility costs before they are passed through to ratepayers, however this bill would undermine the PSC's authority by authorizing NorthWestern to pass through a variety of Colstrip-related costs without PSC approval. By reducing PSC oversight of NorthWestern Energy, it shifts the costs and risks of NorthWestern's decisions related to Colstrip from the utility to its ratepayers, which includes residents, business, and government entities in Missoula County.
In addition, by encouraging NorthWestern to increase its reliance on coal, this bill runs contrary to Missoula County's goal to reduce our contribution to climate change. In March 2019, the county established a goal of carbon neutrality in county government operations by 2035. On April 3, Missoula County and the City of Missoula adopted a joint resolution that establishes a goal of 100% clean electricity for the Missoula urban area. Achieving these goals will require that we work with NorthWestern Energy to accelerate the shift to cleaner generating sources. SB 331 would undermine these efforts by encouraging NorthWestern to double down on coal.
Sent the morning of March 27:
ReplyDeleteSenators,
Missoula County opposes SB 331: Establish the Montana energy security act, on the Senate floor this afternoon. The bill would reduce the Public Service Commission's (PSC) oversight of NorthWestern Energy related to its partial ownership of the Colstrip coal-fired power plant. The role of the PSC is to protect utility ratepayers by reviewing and approving utility costs before they are passed through to ratepayers, however this bill would undermine the PSC's authority by authorizing NorthWestern to pass through a variety of Colstrip-related costs without PSC approval. By reducing PSC oversight of NorthWestern Energy, it shifts the costs and risks of NorthWestern's decisions related to Colstrip from the utility to its ratepayers, which includes residents, business, and government entities in Missoula County.
In addition, by encouraging NorthWestern to increase its reliance on coal, this bill runs contrary to Missoula County's goal to reduce our contribution to climate change. In March 2019, the county established a goal of carbon neutrality in county government operations by 2035. On April 3, Missoula County and the City of Missoula will consider a joint resolution that establishes a goal of 100% clean electricity for the Missoula urban area. Achieving these goals will require that we work with NorthWestern Energy to accelerate the shift to cleaner generating sources. SB 331 would undermine these efforts by encouraging NorthWestern to double down on coal.
Please oppose SB 331.
Sent morning of April 8:
ReplyDeleteRepresentatives Olsen and Sullivan,
Missoula County opposes SB 331: Establish the Montana energy security act, up for hearing in House Energy, Technology, and Federal Relations this afternoon. The bill would reduce the Public Service Commission's (PSC) oversight of NorthWestern Energy related to its partial ownership of the Colstrip coal-fired power plant. The role of the PSC is to protect utility ratepayers by reviewing and approving utility costs before they are passed through to ratepayers, however this bill would undermine the PSC's authority by authorizing NorthWestern to pass through a variety of Colstrip-related costs without PSC approval. By reducing PSC oversight of NorthWestern Energy, it shifts the costs and risks of NorthWestern's decisions related to Colstrip from the utility to its ratepayers, which includes residents, business, and government entities in Missoula County.
In addition, by encouraging NorthWestern to increase its reliance on coal, this bill runs contrary to Missoula County's goal to reduce our contribution to climate change. In March 2019, the county established a goal of carbon neutrality in county government operations by 2035. On April 3, Missoula County and the City of Missoula adopted a joint resolution that establishes a goal of 100% clean electricity for the Missoula urban area. Achieving these goals will require that we work with NorthWestern Energy to accelerate the shift to cleaner generating sources. SB 331 would undermine these efforts by encouraging NorthWestern to double down on coal.
Please oppose SB 331.