PO BOX 201706 Helena, MT 59620-1706 (406) 444-3064 Energy and Telecommunications Interim Committee FAX (406) 444-3036 61st Montana Legislature SENATE MEMBERS HOUSE MEMBERS COMMITTEE STAFF JERRY BLACK--Vice Chair ROBYN DRISCOLL--Chair SONJA NOWAKOWSKI, Research Analyst RON ERICKSON DUANE ANKNEY TODD EVERTS, Staff Attorney VERDELL JACKSON TONY BELCOURT DAWN FIELD, Secretary CLIFF LARSEN HARRY KLOCK October 26, 2009 To: ETIC members From: Sonja Nowakowski, ETIC staff Re: Energy Policy public comment During the month of October, the ETIC accepted public comment on three of the nine energy policy issues outlined in Senate Bill 290. Those issues include: • increasing the supply of low-cost electricity with coal-fired generation; • promoting alternative energy systems; and • reducing regulations that increase ratepayers' energy costs. The ETIC asked the public to suggest specific changes in state law that are needed in these areas, as well as to provide their thoughts on potential findings and recommendations. The ETIC received more than 50 comments as of Monday, October 26. Many of the comments are quite detailed and very thorough. I hope you will all take a few moments to read through them. They are also available on the ETIC Website. You will receive copies of any additional comments that are received at the November meeting. Over the next nine months, the committee will meet and discuss additional issues, as mandated by Senate Bill 290. As those additional issues appear on future ETIC agendas, the committee will put out a request for additional public comment. A complete schedule is available under the "Energy Policy" link on the committee's Web site. Sonja Nowakowski Research Analyst Montana Legislative Services Division Room 171E, State Capitol PO Box 201704 Helena, MT 59620-1704 Phone: (406) 444-3078 Email: [email protected] Cl0429 9299slxa. MONTANA LEGISLATIVE SERVICES DIVISION STAFF: SUSAN BYORTH FOX, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR • DAVID D. BOHYER, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND POLICY ANALYSIS • GREGORY J. PETESCH, DIRECTOR, LEGAL SERVICES OFFICE • HENRY TRENK, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY • TODD EVERTS, DIRECTOR, LEGISLATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY OFFICE Page 1 of 1 Nowakowski, Sonja "~ ... " ., From: James Meadow [email protected]] Sent: Friday, September 25, 2009 12:50 PM To: Nowakowski, Sonja Subject: Energy Policy I stand strongly opposed to an effort to increase our state's coal-fired energy generation. We now know far too much about the disastrous effects of coal-fired energy generation, and our state is uniquely poised to take advantage of plentiful wind power resources. We should cap coal-fired energy generation right where it is, and commit to supplementing any new energy needs with renewable energy sources. If this costs the state extra money, I will be more than happy to pay higher taxeslenergy costs, and I feel that the majority of informed Montanans would feel the same way. The only reason we should be talking about coal right now is to decide just how much to REDUCE our use of it. Every ton of coal we dig from the ground and burn is a burden on future generations. If we want to protect our way of life long into the future, we need to put all of our effort into increasing renewable energy output for the state of Montana! -- James Meadow Land Resources and Environmental Sciences Montana State University (406) 370-7157 jj'rilcadotv(u~gmail.co111 From: george power [[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2009 12:05 PM To: Nowakowski, Sonja Subject: new bold ideas Hello, I would like to bring to your attention ,that Montana could Be a leader in wind parks that have compressed air energy storage [ C. A. E. S. 1 . the large number of depleted natural gas wells close to transmission lines in windy areas is a start. example - 3 miles east of Havre you have 161 kV line , Clerk-7-32-17depleted natural gas well and class 4 wind. hope this is of some help George Power Page 1 of I Nowakowski, Sonja I, ---,_ "...~.-,..ll.~--.-l.l ------_I-,-- From: JON MARY CARLSON [[email protected]] Sent: Saturday, October 03, 2009 10:40 AM To: Nowakowski, Sonja Subject: electric rates We are for lower rates. 1.e. coal fire plants - yes! this carbon foot print stuff is over hyped. No to alternative enery systems - wind, solar that raise rates. Yes to reducing regulations of questionalbe value, that raise rates. Jon and Mary Carlson Big Sky Page 1 of 1 Nowakowski, Sonja __I_ ,,_ ^.XX^., ". From: JoanHurdle [email protected]] Sent: Friday, October 09, 2009 9:29 AM To: Nowakowski, Sonja Subject: energy policy (Also mailed you a hard copy of this including supporting documents) From: League of Women Voters of Billings To: Montana Interim Legislative Energy Commission: We understanding that you are seeking input on the possibility of increasing electricity in Montana with coal fired generation, and promoting alternative energy systems. The League of Women Voters of the United States issued a report on August 7, 2008, indicating opposition to coal-fired power plants, as being too big a risk for too many people. The report may be found at Iwv.org. The Billings League of Women Voters urges you to reject the idea of coal-fired generation and instead consider conservation and all other measures and systems to reduce carbon output. Such measures, for example, might include improved and expanded public transit throughout the state. Currently rural and urban transit funding cannot be combined in public transportation systems, accordirlg to Audrey Alums at DOT, so we urge you to make it possible to create Regional TransportationAuthorities that could include urban areas in Montana. In Indiana, for example, transit ridership has increased by more than 9% above 2007 levels, with 2.4 million fewer miles driven in 2008, saving 11,670,000 gallons of gasoline, and reducing pollution by 105,000 tons. Every vehicle mile equals one pound of carbon. (1VMT = llb.C) Thank you for consideration of energy alternatives to coal generation. Billings League of Women Voters Board of Directors LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS BILLINGS wi P.0 .Box 2029 7, Billings Montana, 59104 October 7,2009 From: League of Women Voters of Billings To: Montana Interim Legislative Energy Commission: We understanding that you are seeking input on the possibility of increasing electricity in Montana with coal fired generation, and promoting alternative energy systems. The League of Women Voters of the United States issued a report on August 7,2008, indicating opposition to coal-fired power plants, as being too big a risk for too many people. The report may be found at 1wv.org. The Billings League of Women Voters urges you to reject the idea of coal-fired generation and instead consider conservation and all other measures and systems to reduce carbon output. Such measures, for example, might include improved and expanded public transit throughout the state. Currently rural and urban transit funding cannot be combined in public transportation systems, accordrng to Audrey Alums at DOT, so we urge you to make it possible to create Regional Transportation Authorities that could include urban areas in Montana. In Indiana, for example, transit ridership has increased by more than 9% above 2007 levels, with 2.4 million fewer miles driven in 2008, saving 11,670,000 gallons of gasoline, and reducing pollution by 105,000 tons. Every vehicle mile equals one pound of carbon. (1VMT = 1lb.C) Thank you for consideration of energy alternatives to coal generation. Billings League of Women Voters Board of Directors League of Women Voters of the United States I League Calls for Mora... http://www.lwv.orglAMITemplate.ch?Section=Home&temp1ate=/... FOR IMMEDXATE RELEASE Contact: Kelly Stay Informed Ceballos Slgn up to become an August 7,2008 e-Advlsl and get all the 202-263- 1331 lalesl news from the League In your inbox your email: LEAGUE OPPOSES COAL-FIRED POWER PLANTS Waiting for Congressional Action on Climate Change Would be Too Late, League Says Washington, DC - The League of Women Voters today called for a moratorium on new construction of coal-fired electric power plants. "Global warming is happening now," said national League President Mary G. Wilson. 'If we wait for federal action from our congressional leaders, it will be too late. We must take immediate and aggressive action to halt climate change," she said. (Click heLe for a fad sheet on the League's stand.) "Burning more coal is too big a risk for too many people," Wilson said. "Coal is the single largest source of global warming pollution in the U.S., with power plants responsible for 33 percent of C02 emissions. Because of this pollution, we already face increasingly severe heat waves and droughts, intensifying hurricanes and floods, disappearing glaciers and more wildfires. If left unchecked, the effects will be catastrophic to us and our planet," she said. 'We will be active in opposing the building of these plants," said Wilson. "Coal-fired electric power plants have a very long lifespan and contribute huge amounts of pollution to the atmosphere. Building these new plants would foreclose the possibility of preventing dangerous global warming." "Today, there is no environmentally sound use of coal," Wilson said. "Many hope that C02 can be captured and stored underground," she observed, "but this technology has never been demonstrated on a commercial scale." "Instead of coal, we must look to clean energy alternatives," according to Wilson. "California, which has been a leader in energy conservation and efficiency, has been able to keep per capita energy consumption essentially constant for three decades while enjoying a growing economy," she noted. "Wind and solar are also League of Women Voters of the United States ( League Calls for Mora..