Legislative Action Alert: March 30th 2021 | Montana Audubon


Montana Audubon

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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!

  1. Sign up to testify by 12pm on 3/30 HERE.
  2. 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.
  1. Contact the House Natural Resource Committee directly.

Gunderson, Steve (R) ‑ Chair, [email protected], (406) 334-4370

Knudsen, Rhonda (R) ‑ Vice Chair, [email protected], (406) 489-5253

Curdy, Willis (D) ‑ Vice Chair, [email protected], (406) 728-0981

Farris‑Olsen, Robert (D), [email protected], (406) 794-4780

Fielder, Paul (R), [email protected], (406) 210-5943

Fitzgerald, Ross (R), [email protected], (406) 467-2032

France, Tom (D), [email protected], (406) 396-5085

Galloway, Steven (R), [email protected], (406) 727-4963

Gist, Steve (R), [email protected], (406) 231-4050

Malone, Marty (R),  [email protected], (406) 223-1302

Marler, Marilyn (D), [email protected], (406) 544-7189

Noland, Mark (R), [email protected], (406) 253-8982

Putnam, Brian ®, [email protected], (406) 233-9463

Walsh, Kenneth (R), [email protected], (406) 684-5624

Weatherwax, Marvin (D), [email protected], (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!

  1. 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.
  1. Contact the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee directly.

Ankney, Duane (R) ‑ Chair, (406) 740-0629, [email protected]

Small, Jason (R) ‑ Vice Chair, (406) 690-0923, [email protected]

McNally, Mary (D) ‑ Vice Chair, (406) 671-1376, [email protected]

Cuffe, Mike (R), (406) 293-1247, [email protected]

Gauthier, Terry (R), (406) 461-0744, [email protected]

Kary, Doug (R), (406) 698-1478, [email protected]

Lynch, Ryan (D), (406) 498-6625, [email protected]

Molnar, Brad (R), (406) 794-5982, [email protected]

Morigeau, Shane (D), (406) 546-4290, [email protected]

Pope, Christopher (D), (406) 581-8739, [email protected]

Regier, Keith (R), (406) 756-6141, [email protected]

Sweeney, Mark (D), (406) 560-0171, [email protected]

Tempel, Russ (R), (406) 265-0990, [email protected]

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!

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