Energy Authority HB 114

Montana Legislature alert. (I'll add this to all post that are very strictly about the Legislature for those not interested.)
With the Montana Legislature in session I have been paging through the bills proposed and a few caught my eye. Here is one.

HB 114

Establish Montana energy transmission and transportation authority

NEW SECTION. Section 2. Purpose and findings. The legislature finds and declares that:

(1) Montana is endowed with significant and very diverse energy resources. The development of Montana's energy resources is essential to a healthy state economy.

(2) Montana's energy resources provide a tremendous opportunity to diversify the state's economy and to stabilize and increase revenue to the state;

(3) energy transmission and transportation constraints impede the development of the state's energy resources;

(4) an essential governmental function and public purpose are to assist with the removal of transmission and transportation impediments to facilitate the development of Montana's energy resources;

(5) development of Montana's energy resources will promote the public interest by increasing employment, stimulating economic activity, augmenting sources of tax revenue, fostering economic stability, and improving the state's economy; and

(6) it is in the public interest that the Montana energy transmission and transportation authority have the ability to facilitate the planning, development, economic analysis, and coordination of energy transmission and transportation facilities and related supporting infrastructure within and outside of Montana.

Overall I would have to say this sounds like a good idea. There has always been a problem with getting resources out of the state and maybe this will help. High power transmission lines to take advantage of our coal and wind opportunities are extremely important and a central authority to look this over might promote growth. I am always concerned about giving the government more power and control but I am willing to give this one a provisional pass. Maybe they should include a provision to abolish the authority in about 10 years if it isn't working out. That would make me feel better. Whether it would work out as planned, who knows. It really depends on the members of the board and their drive and conviction.

Referred to the House Federal Relations, Energy, and Telecommunications Committee. Hearing date is 01/15/2007