Committee backs transmission-capacity study targeting four key paths

The House Energy, Technology, and Federal Relations committee voted to advance Senate Joint Resolution 12, a transmission-capacity study that identifies several named paths and asks an interim body to examine transmission upgrades, interconnection barriers and the economic effects of current constraints.

Sponsor Sen. Greg Hunter told the committee Montana has abundant renewable and natural resources but lacks sufficient transmission capacity to move generation to load centers, and said the study would analyze paths and costs needed to support future growth. "We gotta have the transmission capacity before we can have the power," he said.

Supporters included large industrial energy consumers and renewable-energy advocates. Sarah Clerget, speaking on behalf of a large-customer group and Renewables Northwest, said transmission bottlenecks raise operating costs for refineries, pipelines, mining and manufacturing companies and block development of new generation. Kerry Hegreberg of the Montana Chamber of Commerce said available and affordable energy is a significant economic concern and endorsed an interim study to prepare for future emergencies and growth.

Witnesses highlighted four paths named in the resolution — Paths 8, 18, 80 and 83 — and urged the committee to begin by studying those corridors. McKenna Sellers of the Montana Renewable Energy Association told the committee the resolution complements separate work on interstate compacts to explore financing options.

Committee members asked who would build and pay for transmission upgrades; the sponsor and witnesses said that would depend on later determinations — private entities, utilities or other providers could participate and financing options would be part of the broader analysis.

Outcome: the committee concurred in SJ12 during executive action and sent the joint resolution to the floor for further consideration.