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Bill would set aside coal-severance funds to secure Colstrip's future water supply
Summary
House Bill 368 would create a Coal Severance Tax trust account to set aside $2 million annually to help secure long-term water for the town of Colstrip after power-plant operations cease; proponents from utilities, local governments and environmental groups supported the bill in committee.
House Bill 368 proposes creating a Town of Colstrip Water Infrastructure Mitigation Account within the Montana Coal Severance Tax Trust that would set aside $2 million per year to help ensure Colstrip has potable water after plant operations and remediation conclude.
Sponsor Rep. Gary Perry, who represents House District 35, said the fund is a proactive solution for a community that depends on water supplied through pipelines fed from the Yellowstone River. Perry and witnesses said replacement or reconfiguration of one pipeline was estimated at roughly $80 million in a 2022…
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