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Committee hears bill to create Montana Energy Authority to coordinate transmission, generation and funding
Summary
Sponsor Rep. Gary Perry told the House Energy committee HB 314 would establish a 14-member Montana Energy Authority to coordinate planning, transmission and grant seeking; environmental groups supported planning but urged changes to membership and limits on private funding, while unions and renewable groups backed the concept.
Rep. Gary Perry, sponsor of House Bill 314, told the House Energy, Technology, and Federal Relations Committee that Montana lacks a centralized energy planning body and needs one to coordinate generation, transmission and distribution as demand grows. “We are currently a ship without a rudder,” Perry said, citing a projected need for roughly 7,500 megawatts of additional capacity over the next six to 10 years and near‑term increases if Colstrip units retire.
The bill would create a governor‑appointed Montana Energy Authority with a 14‑member board, an executive director and staff; Perry said the authority would act as a clearinghouse to pursue grants, coordinate interstate planning and streamline siting and permitting. The sponsor noted the fiscal note had not yet been finalized and said the committee…
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