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Sponsor asks extra time as committee reviews SB301 transmission-routing changes
Summary
Sen. Daniel Zolnikov presented SB301 to shift certain transmission routing reviews to the Public Service Commission; Northwestern Energy supported the change, DEQ and PSC provided technical input, and the sponsor asked the committee to hold the bill briefly for cleanups and stakeholder amendments.
Sen. Daniel Zolnikov opened the committee hearing on Senate Bill 301, saying the bill would move certain certification decisions for transmission projects to the Public Service Commission (PSC) and include a pre‑approval concept to ensure oversight of major transmission costs. "This is the process to just to revisit it... to make it quicker, but still public trust to build out transmission lines," Zolnikov said, noting the bill carried a $0 fiscal note.
Alan Olsen, director of government affairs for Northwestern Energy, testified in favor and said the company supports the bill while recommending a few non‑substantive amendments. "We do support this bill," Olsen said, while asking the sponsor to consider language adjustments.
Sonya Nowakowski (DEQ director) and Trevor Graff (PSC external affairs coordinator) appeared as informational witnesses to answer regulatory questions. Committee members asked about fiscal impacts and whether proposed amendments could address stakeholder concerns.
Zolnikov told the committee he preferred to hold the bill for a few days to incorporate cleanup language and to consult parties. The committee closed the hearing and indicated it would hold SB301 for further work rather than take immediate action.
