Legislative Action Alert: March 30th 2021
Senate Bill 284: Generally revise county gravel pit permitting
Status: Hearing 03/31/2021; 3:00 PM, Rm 172
Position: Oppose
This bill would remove the requirement for mitigation through the state sage-grouse conservation program for gravel pits permitted by a county. Though the creation of gravel pits can have a number of long-term habitat impacts, this exemption chips away at a strong state conservation program that requires the participation of all stakeholders
Action!
- Sign up to testify by 12pm on 3/30 HERE.
- Follow the steps below to contact the House Natural Resources committee HERE.
- Fill out the form provided.
- Select Committees (You may have to scroll down to find this)
- Select (H) Natural Resources
- Select Bill Type (SB) and Bill Number 284
- Select Against
- Provide your message, making sure to personalize with your name, hometown and one sentence about your background and concern.
- Contact the House Natural Resource Committee directly.
Gunderson, Steve (R) ‑ Chair, steve.gunderson@mtleg.gov, (406) 334-4370
Knudsen, Rhonda (R) ‑ Vice Chair, rhonda.knudsen@mtleg.gov, (406) 489-5253
Curdy, Willis (D) ‑ Vice Chair, Willis.Curdy@mtleg.gov, (406) 728-0981
Farris‑Olsen, Robert (D), robformontana@gmail.com, (406) 794-4780
Fielder, Paul (R), paulfielder@blackfoot.net, (406) 210-5943
Fitzgerald, Ross (R), ross.fitzgerald@mtleg.gov, (406) 467-2032
France, Tom (D), tom.france@mtleg.gov, (406) 396-5085
Galloway, Steven (R), galloway4mt@gmail.com, (406) 727-4963
Gist, Steve (R), steve.gist@mtleg.gov, (406) 231-4050
Malone, Marty (R), dogrockranch@gmail.com, (406) 223-1302
Marler, Marilyn (D), marilyn.marler@mtleg.gov, (406) 544-7189
Noland, Mark (R), marknolandhd10@gmail.com, (406) 253-8982
Putnam, Brian ®, brian.putnam@mtleg.gov, (406) 233-9463
Walsh, Kenneth (R), kenneth.walsh@mtleg.gov, (406) 684-5624
Weatherwax, Marvin (D), repmarvinwwaxjr@gmail.com, (406) 338-7741
Clerk: Jacquelynn Bomgardner, Rm 468,(406) 444‑1596
Staff: Joe Kolman, Rm 171B, (406) 444‑3747
Senate Bill 379: Generally revise coal-fired generation laws
Status: Hearing 03/30/2021; 3:00 PM, Rm 317
Positon: Oppose
Senate Bill 379 would allow current and future owners of coal-fired power assets to fully recover costs for any undepreciated value and remediation expenses from energy consumers. It would also allow the utility to recover market value for new ownership of a coal power asset, even if it was purchased for less than market value, a scenario that brings to mind a now-defunct proposal for NorthWestern to purchase 25% ownership of Unit 4 for from Washington-based Puget Sound Energy for $1. Additionally, SB 379 would direct the PSC to allow the continued operation of coal-fired power plants “until the commission issues an order finding that the closure of the units is in the public interest.”
Action!
- Follow the steps below to contact the Senate Energy and Telecommunications committee HERE.
- Fill out the form provided.
- Select Committees (You may have to scroll down to find this)
- Select (S) Energy and Telecommunications
- Select Bill Type (SB) and Bill Number 379
- Select Against
- Provide your message, making sure to personalize with your name, hometown and one sentence about your background and concern.
- Contact the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee directly.
Ankney, Duane (R) ‑ Chair, (406) 740-0629, goodwind1.duane@gmail.com
Small, Jason (R) ‑ Vice Chair, (406) 690-0923, j2thedsmall@gmail.com
McNally, Mary (D) ‑ Vice Chair, (406) 671-1376, Mary.McNally@mtleg.gov
Cuffe, Mike (R), (406) 293-1247, mcuffe@interbel.net
Gauthier, Terry (R), (406) 461-0744, mrmac570@me.com
Kary, Doug (R), (406) 698-1478, Doug.Kary@mtleg.gov
Lynch, Ryan (D), (406) 498-6625, Ryan.Lynch@mtleg.gov
Molnar, Brad (R), (406) 794-5982, brad.molnar@mtleg.gov
Morigeau, Shane (D), (406) 546-4290, shane@shaneformt.com
Pope, Christopher (D), (406) 581-8739, Chris.Pope@mtleg.gov
Regier, Keith (R), (406) 756-6141, keith.regier@mtleg.gov
Sweeney, Mark (D), (406) 560-0171, masween@hotmail.com
Tempel, Russ (R), (406) 265-0990, Russ.Tempel@mtleg.gov
Secretary: Lauren de Paepe, Rm 320, (406) 444‑4618
Staff: Trevor Graff, Rm 171A, (406) 444‑4975
House Bill 599: Generally revise open cut laws
Status: Sitting in Senate Natural Resources Committee
Position: Oppose
HB 599 is a truly radical fundamental re-write of gravel pit laws in a way that would completely cut the public out of the permitting process in nearly every instance. The bill, introduced at the 11th hour, is loaded with flaws, eliminates dozens of requirements for gravel pit operators, and completely excludes notification and involvement of neighboring landowners in most gravel pit permitting processes.
Action!
Search here to find your local House Representative and contact them here. Tell them to vote NO on HB 599 during second reading!