[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6304941,"mediaKeyId","2452806-bd1bd54ebacb015319e1dfb9594f676f","parentId",2452806,"title","Committee hears proposal to permit conversion and enrichment facilities; environmental groups urge caution","audioSeconds",2603,"startMs",6929000,"endMs",9532000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2452806-bd1bd54ebacb015319e1dfb9594f676f&start=6929&end=9532","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2452806-bd1bd54ebacb015319e1dfb9594f676f/thumbnail_6929000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6304941/Montana/Committee-hears-proposal-to-permit-conversion-and-enrichment-facilities-environmental-groups-urge-caution","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304941-b8e3ddc3e54a8fad3f5cca4d297e4aa8/orig.mp4?Expires=1774820084&Signature=MvU5nYFYkuj7IM~pH2HqYur2kbZSrXGo5dTM09okB-qyX~4u2ooLbaI3Qw7Q7TSRcwuQZiBJbgfxIBIrHwQP2PB617hDRCJR9L~qwIDc1u4lVRW4efoCZ9i-2DsiuNCBmWGivHrh4eqrbfS2bWCQe5oASsvTTbdxZLGQJz~the5mLXh3sv8K50VLC9u0xEdMDAhmoijEA2Y1qtQyqTSBRSHCXAUBtMI4dtY6R-i~ulCSVEQZ2Q5mo9s65onOItuc-w6Y7G6vwc7OS7-VKXMOK8bFKfo5MuD8tA5aiSPAhNgJ~fEwzZVv-qPRthqHp5UN3SXJf8ZLTvjbAIfdgVR5ZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-02-28T00:00:00Z","article","Chair Gary Perry introduced House Bill 696, which would authorize uranium conversion and enrichment facilities either for uranium mined and milled in Montana or for material transported into the state for processing. Perry described the bill as forward‑looking and part of a broader effort to secure critical minerals and nuclear fuel supply chains.

Opponents raised environmental, economic and community concerns. Nick Fitzmaurice, energy transition engineer with the Montana Environmental Information Center, argued that the bill as written would invite Montana to be a processing route for uranium produced elsewhere and could expose roads and communities to transport risks. Fitzmaurice also questioned the economic case for new domestic enrichment facilities, noting historical cost overruns for large nuclear projects and uncertainty around small modular reactors’ economics.

Stephanie Viel of the American Indian Movement of Montana testified in opposition, raising concerns about impacts to tribal lands and communities and general health and cultural effects from past extractive projects. Hal Schmidt and other opponents urged more public discussion and stronger community engagement before authorizing large‑scale uranium processing in the state.

Supporters included construction unions and other witnesses who pointed to job opportunities and strategic benefits. Representative Perry and proponents emphasized this is an exploratory, early‑stage authorization to allow Montana to be considered for future facilities and to start conversations about potential sites and safeguards.

DEQ public policy director Rebecca Harbage participated as an informational witness and reiterated that DEQ could provide a state recommendation and would oversee permitting and siting under the state’s major facility process, enlisting outside expertise when paid for by applicants.

Committee questions focused on transport distances, whether facilities would be on private or public land, financial assurances and whether applicant fees would cover state oversight. Chair Perry said no specific sites had been selected; the sponsor cited Saskatchewan as a potential source of uranium feedstock and said the intent was to make Montana an option for enrichment and conversion activities.

The committee adopted a technical amendment tying the bill to the Major Facility Siting Act and recorded committee action in the session. Committee members asked for additional technical information and engagement with potentially affected communities.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Energy, Technology, and Federal Relations Feb 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Chair Gary Perry introduced House Bill 696 to allow the siting of uranium conversion and enrichment facilities for material mined or milled in Montana or imported into the state.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MT, Montana","taxId",77694,"location","Montana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6304955,"House debate: bill would explicitly allow private activity bonds for broadband in unserved areas",1336,868000,2204000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2452806-bd1bd54ebacb015319e1dfb9594f676f&start=868&end=2204","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2452806-bd1bd54ebacb015319e1dfb9594f676f/thumbnail_868000.jpg","/articles/6304955/Montana/House-debate-bill-would-explicitly-allow-private-activity-bonds-for-broadband-in-unserved-areas","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304955-763a97cb731654e07f04cd228256e902/orig.mp4?Expires=1774820084&Signature=PD3wBUzJpPktSO-ESZz~cKF-n7d4lLiIJ7Uqsi22GlMuRdzZR8TrOd4UiFpFrrXzPoT64j6aXUvRUK0xP0DM~-xQbE7Q5YAWEaXq0TqEVuhv-qI~hOKaByIOY8OHPud5Le99NenwKvC8VfvbiQx~DOCg71fb36NCYgL~LWGVCJTzhAhq85cJfRVnKRvbqLxs1BK8Pdk7TTNx1h06K7VXUyyuguuxeCNbn7x4OUPKgARA129Ag1NaDY6LdpwzLGzJEkosJHg3UZw07T5oVCML5qKJxXtHp9XmvowPegnZhvwa3owQQ7sKhHqHd8aHk7k1AK9YJ4ATSPVs4bUc9jlB8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Caleb Hinkle opened the committee hearing on House Bill 650, saying the bill would expressly authorize private industry activity bonds for broadband expansion in unserved and underserved areas of Montana.

Hinkle said the clarification would preserve a level playing field by directing taxpayer‑backed financing to places without adequate service, rather than subsidizing government networks in already served markets. “This bill provides a fair preserves a fair and competitive market that encourages private sector driven broadband expansion,” Hinkle said during the hearing.

Why it matters: Supporters told the House Energy, Technology and Federal Relations Committee the measure would help channel financing to rural and underserved areas, protect private investors and avoid duplicative government overbuilds that can discourage private expansion.

Proponents included Tanner Avery, policy director at the Frontier Institute, who said local government entry into the Internet business has in some cases led to projects that overbuild private networks or fall short of promises. Avery cited Gallatin County as an example, saying a government‑backed project that initially aimed to connect 22,000 homes had connected “barely half” of that target and requested additional bonds. “HB 650 introduces reasonable safeguards to ensure bonding for broadband is directed where it is truly needed,” Avery said.

Melissa Lewis, representing Charter Communications and speaking also on behalf of Broadband MT, said private Montana internet companies already are investing “millions” to expand service and supported the bill’s focus on unserved and underserved areas. Patrick Yawaki, representing Blackfeet, Fort Belknap and Chippewa Cree communities, testified in support, saying broadband is critical for education, health and public services in tribal and rural areas.

Opposition testimony included Timothy Jabs, who said he opposed broader expansion of high‑speed broadband on public‑interest or health grounds; Jabs argued increased Internet speeds change how people process information and expressed concern about societal effects.

Committee questions focused on how the bill defines “unserved” and “underserved.” Melissa Lewis pointed the committee to the bill language that references thresholds (for example, a 100/20 Mbps benchmark was discussed during testimony as the FCC speed standard), and she summarized that the bill directs bonding toward homes and businesses that lack adequate service.

Outcome and next steps: The committee later took procedural action on several bills that day; the formal committee motion to table or otherwise dispose of HB 650 occurred later in the session record (see Votes at a glance). The hearing on HB 650 concluded after public and industry testimony and questions for the sponsor and informational witnesses.","Representative Caleb Hinkle opened the committee hearing on House Bill 650, saying the bill would expressly authorize private industry activity bonds for broadband expansion in unserved and underserved areas of Montana.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6304936,"Votes at a glance: committee actions on Feb. 14, 2025",1197,10974000,12171000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2452806-bd1bd54ebacb015319e1dfb9594f676f&start=10974&end=12171","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2452806-bd1bd54ebacb015319e1dfb9594f676f/thumbnail_10974000.jpg","/articles/6304936/Montana/Votes-at-a-glance-committee-actions-on-Feb-14-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304936-a8b3409373a1ed6cb78ec1546e4e7246/orig.mp4?Expires=1774820084&Signature=QDv7fep9VQgMT0yVDix73u7cquOJFODRC5CxTqjw7lIkGyldi8aYcHm2yFGTQ9zqSY-b6oKkvWbeeMr4kGsY4pzs1j18toZpcxDrBCapVaiCRL~8eIRmAIBBHaFH2i75BHZ5K6BqoFqColQP8GiJIgq-GNMrODVQruizQZOvkRi7tINtm8AKvv8l63fxkm527LHR~1NuyU~vFQEDL8cJBl8p5UQXxnp1RYiCn0gIocY7EPKB-nWDQbgTrWF-AL5l4eopjVdDMpti22BkCa7xrhpLKUAWJwi-xSe7E1BHcvJl30Rwb98vp67guIJ5FZb01wIefprB-vZrTIgoxA-czA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Summary of recorded committee actions from the transcript of the Feb. 14, 2025 House Energy, Technology and Federal Relations Committee session. This list records committee procedural and final outcomes as stated in the transcript; where the transcript does not record a numeric roll call we mark the outcome as recorded in the hearing text.

- House Bill 404 (Guard Act): Initial roll call recorded a tie; a substitute motion to table the bill was moved and the committee recorded a later roll call result (committee record indicated the substitute motion to table passed by recorded tally; see transcript). Outcome: substituted motion to table carried (committee procedural disposition recorded in transcript).

- House Bill 389 (wind turbine setbacks; amendment HB389.01): Committee adopted an amendment (HB389.01) and later a motion to table HB 389 was recorded in the transcript; the record shows the committee acted by voice/roll call (transcript records 14 ayes on the tabling motion). Outcome: tabled by committee (recorded tally in transcript).

- House Bill 650 (private industry activity bonds for broadband): The transcript records a committee motion to table HB 650 later in the session; the record states the committee vote on that procedural motion was recorded as 14 ayes, 0 no's in the session transcript. Outcome: tabled by committee (recorded in transcript).

- House Bill 670 (residential solar unused credits to LIEAP): The committee took procedural votes on HB 670 during the end‑of‑day business sequence. The transcript records motions and votes; a motion to table was moved and transcript recording shows committee actions and a final procedural disposition that the committee tabled the bill (transcript records procedural action). Outcome: tabled (committee procedural disposition recorded in transcript).

- House Bill 623 (siting of spent nuclear fuel storage): The committee adopted a DEQ‑requested amendment (codification to the Major Facility Siting Act), then recorded a roll call on the amended bill. Transcript records the amended bill passed committee with a roll call reading “There are 12 ayes and 2 no’s.” Outcome: passed as amended in committee (recorded roll call: 12–2).

- House Bill 696 (uranium conversion and enrichment): The committee adopted a DEQ amendment tying the proposal to the Major Facility Siting Act; transcript indicates committee action and that the bill will be transmitted to the House (committee record states the business on HB 696 concluded and the bill will go to the House). Outcome: amended and committee‑approved for transmittal (procedural action recorded in transcript).

Notes and caveats: The committee record at the end of the session contains multiple back‑and‑forth procedural votes, voice votes, proxies and roll calls. This summary reports outcomes as explicitly recorded in the transcript text. Where the transcript records a tally number, that tally is reported here; where the transcript uses procedural voice votes or subsequent roll calls, outcomes are reported as the session text presents them. For exact roll call detail and verbatim tallies, consult the committee transcript timecodes cited below and the official committee minutes.","This table summarizes committee procedural and final actions recorded in the House Energy, Technology and Federal Relations Committee transcript for Feb. 14, 2025. For full context, consult the transcript entries and articles on each bill.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6304946,"Chair introduces bill to clear legislative approval for on‑site spent fuel storage; opponents warn of long‑term risks",3195,3644000,6839000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2452806-bd1bd54ebacb015319e1dfb9594f676f&start=3644&end=6839","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2452806-bd1bd54ebacb015319e1dfb9594f676f/thumbnail_3644000.jpg","/articles/6304946/Montana/Chair-introduces-bill-to-clear-legislative-approval-for-onsite-spent-fuel-storage-opponents-warn-of-longterm-risks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304946-6edd8babcac5b7dde92208d5b5da66d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1774820084&Signature=ARolN3OvfGGP6OnymB7sQ1HVxAiM9cIzHU42FScFbfWFLllNF89k8tnhbPRw4bftzDRMrkb3lXuBGN5faGwCjpG7HuMquWWbeQn6Msp20ZtdP4RRRStsOb-uWoErjzuRVEhqd3IRb~edK3l4Zivhf3dDjQVqzFqS8QQz0YnXs32gxO9yjALrjboo7LIWTcaWwYLj3N9wGF7AQ5FZu4y97XJRTgZu5-WM8lN11frRtseLSSBgt2cchYtjiMxZwPFbAk5UP-I5gIXRM6CqxHumPl~~x4Q0S8fvqDK3Et069HqeVswTTij6u~kMSEzbjptljww185AAIwFByex1Ap6RXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chair Gary Perry opened the hearing on House Bill 623, a measure that would provide legislative approval for the siting of spent nuclear fuel storage facilities produced by nuclear power generating facilities operating within Montana. Perry framed the bill as a preparatory step intended to show federal regulators and developers that Montana is ready to host nuclear generation and associated on‑site spent fuel storage.

Perry described small modular reactor technology and said the bill is intended to demonstrate the state’s willingness to handle spent fuel responsibly. He emphasized that the legislation, as drafted, limits stored spent fuel to fuel “produced in the state at a generating facility in the state.” “All I’m trying to do is make sure that we send the message that we’re ready to take care of our site,” Perry said.

Opponents included Stephanie Viel, secretary of the American Indian Movement of Montana, who said the bill raises long‑term cultural and health concerns for Indigenous communities and raised legal and trust‑responsibility issues. “I oppose House Bill 6 23 which would give legislative approval for siting radioactive nuclear waste storage facilities in Montana,” Viel said.

Nick Fitzmaurice, energy transition engineer for the Montana Environmental Information Center, testified that while the bill limits storage to Montana‑produced spent fuel, short‑term storage often becomes de facto long‑term storage in practice and that Montana may lack a permanent national depository. He also raised implementation questions about placing this facility type under the Major Facility Siting Act and whether DEQ has the in‑house expertise for federal intervention at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

Proponents included construction and trade unions and individual witnesses who called the technology promising and said nuclear would create jobs and a firm source of carbon‑free power. Adam Haight, representing Laborers Local 1686 and the Montana Building and Construction Trades Council, cited job creation and economic opportunity. Danny Tenenbaum, a former legislator, testified in support, saying on‑site storage is a prerequisite for nuclear generation and that modern cask and storage designs are highly regulated.

DEQ public policy director Rebecca Harbage and DEQ major facility siting coordinator Craig Jones attended as informational witnesses and described the department’s role in a state recommendation and the ability to contract outside expertise paid by applicants when needed.

Committee discussion probed where any site would be located; Perry said studies have focused on the Colstrip/coal‑strip area and that the Department of Energy and Idaho National Laboratory work has examined possible sites. Members asked about security, safety and whether the bill would permit out‑of‑state shipments; witnesses and the sponsor reiterated the bill’s language limiting stored fuel to fuel produced within Montana.

Outcome: The committee adopted a technical amendment tying the measure to the Major Facility Siting Act; in a subsequent roll call the amended bill passed committee (recorded in the transcript). The committee directed follow‑up questions to DEQ and noted tribal concerns raised in testimony.","Chair Gary Perry sponsored House Bill 623 to authorize legislative approval for siting on‑site storage of spent nuclear fuel at nuclear power generating facilities within Montana. Supporters said the bill would signal readiness to host small modular reactors and associated on‑site fuel storage; opponents — including tribal representatives and env",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6304951,"Panel weighs bill to direct homeowners' unused solar credits to Low Income Energy Assistance",1309,2218000,3527000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2452806-bd1bd54ebacb015319e1dfb9594f676f&start=2218&end=3527","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2452806-bd1bd54ebacb015319e1dfb9594f676f/thumbnail_2218000.jpg","/articles/6304951/Montana/Panel-weighs-bill-to-direct-homeowners-unused-solar-credits-to-Low-Income-Energy-Assistance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304951-624fb07aad4ad51798d1ea2761888642/orig.mp4?Expires=1774820084&Signature=fezheeQh~AQpHwdRUvfS9FGqhZPeKHoM8JPVPkTvdjm7q3kYcrRs0l~TR9FPRwWun6xuIldI6gUR-PcoMshIecph3zxtVHkjxuIyHxI2-xwF-1i62E5TTnRX8guWqlFr7Z6405xeYVb5~9ll37W69~-PTb606TDgmCPaBXBTyRkTwIbTFLgfP3tYYFPB5jLWEfWB2958WK7IPIM4lHLb0btwaFb699mCl0klqIqQwB2LWoQbVPlR~kLgkLvz8-6OYLwE4R1EIs3sVgF7uhg28wtdH~E7FoigyQeEDKS8TKywBm1MtJUSThAPmrBUNH-Yka-I7PF3jDVhV49JWe3vHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Jill Cohenour presented House Bill 670, which would require that unused residential solar kilowatt‑hour credits that currently revert to the utilities’ universal systems benefit (USB) fund be directed specifically to the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) administered by the Department of Public Health and Human Services.

Cohenour said residential customers sometimes generate excess electricity that becomes an unanticipated annual credit; HB 670 would route those particular credits to LIEAP to help low‑income Montanans with their energy bills. “All I’m doing with this bill is requiring that those particular credits … go directly to the LIEAP program,” Cohenour said.

Utilities and program accounting: Alan Olson of Northwestern Energy testified in light opposition, describing the USB fund balances and annual flows. He told the committee that in 2024 USB availability reached $10,285,000, expenditures were about $5,513,000 and a balance carried forward to 2025 of $4,771,000; estimated USB revenue through February 2025 was about $5,200,000. Olson characterized his remarks as “very, very light opposition,” noting the existing USB funding mix and uses.

Proponents including Patrick Yawaki (tribal communities) and Nick Fitzmaurice of the Montana Environmental Information Center supported HB 670, arguing the change would sustain LIEAP funding. Fitzmaurice described customer generation credits as currently forfeited to utilities and said redirecting that small stream to LIEAP would help Montanans facing high bills.

Informational witnesses from the Montana Public Service Commission (Trevor Graf), the Department of Environmental Quality (Ben Brouwer), and the Montana Renewable Energy Association (Makenna Sellers) were available to answer technical questions about net energy metering, the forfeiture process and USB reporting. Sellers noted existing law governs the forfeiture of excess kilowatt‑hour credits and that current statute sets the USB structure and reporting obligations.

Committee discussion touched on how USB funds are allocated. Olson and committee members discussed other authorized uses of the USB fund (conservation, weatherization, research and demonstration) and noted statutory guidance about minimum percentages directed to low‑income programs. Committee members asked the PSC and DOR about historic USB expenditures and requested more detailed reports; PSC indicated it would provide additional materials and Northwestern Energy said it had recently provided its USB report to staff.

Cohenour asked the committee for a do‑pass recommendation, saying the bill would be a modest but sustainable additional revenue source for LIEAP.","House Bill 670 would require that unused residential solar kilowatt‑hour credits flow into the state's Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) via the universal systems benefit fund. Supporters said the change would provide modest, sustainable help to low‑income households; utilities and large‑customer representatives described how USB funds ","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears proposal to permit conversion and enrichment facilities; environmental groups urge caution

House debate: bill would explicitly allow private activity bonds for broadband in unserved areas

Votes at a glance: committee actions on Feb. 14, 2025

Chair introduces bill to clear legislative approval for on‑site spent fuel storage; opponents warn of long‑term risks

Panel weighs bill to direct homeowners' unused solar credits to Low Income Energy Assistance