Montana Senate Bill SB147

Montana 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/10/23
• Refer: 1/11/23

Caption

Create state energy conservation standards

Impact

SB 147 assigns the Montana Public Service Commission the task of adopting rules to support these energy conservation programs, including defining the measurement and verification processes for energy savings and establishing a stakeholder process. The bill encourages utilities to find cost-effective energy conservation methods and promotes investments that can lower overall energy demand and expenditure. By stipulating that the commission supports and rewards utilities for their efficiency initiatives, this legislation aims to streamline energy conservation practices across the state.

Summary

Senate Bill 147, introduced by C. Pope, establishes a utility energy conservation standard aimed at ensuring investor-owned utility companies in Montana invest in energy efficiency programs. The legislation emphasizes that affordable and reliable electrical services are vital for the well-being of Montana citizens and the state's economy. Specifically, it mandates electric distribution utilities to implement energy conservation programs that achieve at least 1% energy savings of their average sales from the previous five years by December 31, 2024. This initiative highlights the importance of utility investments in conservation as a clean and inexpensive energy source.

Contention

While the bill's proponents argue that it will facilitate a shift towards energy efficiency, there may be concerns about the level of regulatory control it places on utilities. Opponents could argue that overly stringent conservation requirements might limit utility flexibility and potentially drive up costs in the short term as utilities adapt to these new standards. Furthermore, there may be discussions about the efficacy and feasibility of implementing these required assessments and evaluations, particularly in rural or underserved areas where energy efficiency measures could be more challenging to implement.