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Montana committee hears broad support and pointed opposition for renewable-energy resolution
Summary
House committee heard testimony for House Joint Resolution 16 that urges Montana to embrace renewable energy for jobs and revenue; proponents (tribes, labor, industry, conservation groups) highlighted local projects and workforce gains while an opponent raised concerns about costs, health risks and sourcing for job estimates.
Representative George Niklakakos introduced House Joint Resolution 16, telling the House Energy, Technology, and Federal Relations Committee that Montana ‘‘is second in the nation for potential wind generation’’ and that local projects have already produced measurable property tax revenue. ‘‘In Cascade County...we've accrued about $2,600,000 in wind property tax revenue to date,’’ he said, citing county figures and arguing the state should ‘‘lean in’’ on renewables to capture economic opportunity.
The hearing produced a mix of endorsements from tribal leaders, unions, renewable developers and conservation groups and skeptical testimony from an on-line opponent. Patrick Yawake, speaking for…
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