Committee alerted to H.319 language about Ryegate biomass plant; straw poll and briefings planned

Committee members were briefed May 15 that House Bill 319, a lengthy miscellaneous environmental bill, now contains language affecting the Ryegate biomass plant and that the committee will review the added language and gather briefings before taking formal action.

Representative Kathleen James, chair of the House Energy and Digital Infrastructure Committee, told members that most of H.319 is outside the committee’s jurisdiction but that a portion addresses the Ryegate facility. "This is an ongoing issue. This is not a brand new issue. It's very familiar to the legislature," she said, adding that Ryegate has asked for a one‑year extension to install more efficient equipment. Committee members said they expect to review the specific language and hear from counsel and agency staff before taking any position.

James said Betsy Ann, the House clerk, will brief the committee about House rules roughly 15 minutes after the floor session, and that legislative counsel (identified in the meeting as "Ellen") will be asked to walk the committee through the Ryegate language, likely in a separate meeting at 8:30 a.m. the following day. Jack Lager, the committee assistant, was directed to add the clerk’s briefing to the agenda. Members also said they would invite the Agency of Natural Resources or other relevant departments to state whether they support the proposed extension.

House members described the Ryegate item as a familiar, multi‑year matter: James said the plant has been asked previously to install more efficient equipment and is requesting a one‑year extension; testimony has been heard in past years by committee members including Representatives Sebelia and Torrey. Members also noted that the plant is a roughly 20‑megawatt generator and that the bill adds language related to pallet manufacturing at the site. A committee member said the plant sells power under a special power‑purchasing agreement; the committee indicated it would seek additional detail about permits and commercial arrangements.

James said the committee will take a straw poll after receiving the language and briefings and that she intends to report back, in the same manner the committee handled prior items, on who testified and what the straw‑poll results were. Staff were asked to contact TJ Core (who has been involved with the project through the Agency of Natural Resources or APD, as referenced in committee discussion) to request any departmental view and to supply the bill language to interested parties once it is received from counsel.

No formal vote or change to committee jurisdiction was made during the May 15 meeting. The actions described — scheduling the clerk and counsel briefings, asking agency staff for comment, and taking a straw poll after reviewing the bill language — were described by members as preparatory steps ahead of any committee decision.