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Coal washing tax deduction debated as Signal Peak supporters urge extension, opponents call it an unnecessary subsidy
Summary
House Bill 858 would extend a coal washing severance-tax deduction; proponents representing Signal Peak Energy and local governments said the deduction supports jobs and state revenue, while opponents called it a business expense and urged letting the incentive expire.
Representative Brewster introduced House Bill 858 to extend a coal-washing deduction in the state coal severance tax code.
Proponents — including counsel Charles Denow for Signal Peak Energy, George Harris of the Montana Coal Council and local officials such as Roundup Mayor Sandra Jones — said the deduction recognizes the value-adding effect of washing coal, which increases mine sales prices and downstream tax and royalty revenue. Denow presented federal Energy Information Administration data showing volatility in mine-sale prices and cited the federal regulation (30 CFR 1206.258) governing coal-washing allowances for federal royalties, arguing for consistency between federal and state…
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