Energy

Renewable Energy Development
Montana farmers are growing our energy future.  Ethanol and biodiesel offer the promise not only of weaning our nation from its dependence on foreign oil but offering new markets for Montana’s agricultural products.  I have authored tax credits for these renewable fuels, because we need more of our fuel to come from Malta, and less from the Middle East.

Wind power offers new possibilities for rural electric cooperatives, communities, farmers and ranchers across the state.  Montana’s wind power generation abilities have grown exponentially in the past few years.  From production tax credits for wind power to my Farm Energy Production Act, I am working hard to write legislation that encourages folks to take advantage of the tremendous opportunities wind and other renewable energy sources.

CREBs
In 2005, as part of an omnibus energy bill and tax package, I authored language for Clean Renewable Energy Bonds, or CREBS.  That legislation secured $72 million for 34 new wind energy projects in Montana in its first year.  Those projects are taking shape in every corner of the state, including thirty-two cities and counties.

The CREBS program allows governmental and tax-exempt entities, including city and county governments, tribal governments, and rural electric cooperatives, to finance their renewable energy projects at zero interest.  These projects, all across the state, will create Montana’s good-paying jobs of tomorrow and help power our homes, Main Streets, and businesses for years to come.

Rural Energy
Montana is a rural state and proudly so.  Rural electric cooperatives power our small towns.  That is why I have worked with those cooperatives to help keep their rates low.  Montana’s rural economy depends on clean, affordable, and reliable power.

I created the CREBS Clean Renewable Energy Bonds program, helping rural cooperatives produce clean, renewable power.  I have also opposed numerous attempts by various Administrations over the years to raise power rates for the Bonneville Power Administration and the Western Area Power Administration.  Last year again saw a proposal by the Administration that would result in a ten percent rate hike for customers dependent on BPA power.  Many of those customers are farmers, ranchers, and small communities in Montana.  I will continue to oppose those rate hikes and find new ways to power those homes, Main Streets, and businesses.

EQUIP
On March 8, 2007, I introduced the On-Farm Energy Production Act. This bill is the first of its kind.  It would amend the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, which provides incentives for conservation work on privately-owned land.  Under my bill, the federal government will pay up to fifty percent of the overall cost, up to as much as $50,000, for the installation of renewable energy sources on farms and ranches.

This bill will help farmers and ranchers install presses for the production of biodiesel from oilseed crops, solar panels, and windmills on their farms.  Unlike other alternative energy programs that encourage renewable energy production that indirectly helps farmers and ranchers, this bill will put money directly on those folks’ bottom line. 

Not only will this innovative proposal help our country to move away from its reliance on foreign energy sources, but the renewable energy sources will help each farmer and rancher save on his fuel and energy costs.  Big thinking like this is why renewable energy is booming in Montana.  Wind energy production alone has increased 73-fold in Montana since 2004, according to the Department of Energy.  The On-Farm Energy Production Act will let individual farmers and ranchers across the state tap into that boom and take advantage of a valuable resource.

Encouraging Responsible Coal Development
The U.S. has the largest recoverable coal reserves in the world—275 billion tons—and Montana holds over 119 billion tons alone.  We should strive to develop that valuable resource responsibly and play a role in a cleaner energy future for our nation.  Deploying tax incentives for clean coal technologies and carbon sequestration will make Montana a global factor in the energy industry, creating more good-paying jobs in Montana and powering our homes, businesses, and Main Streets. 

That is why I have authored and successfully passed legislation encouraging advanced energy research, so that America and Montana can compete in the global energy market and find new answers for our domestic energy needs.  From developing clean coal-fired power plants to Montana farmers and ranchers “banking” carbon credits to lead the fight against climate change, our state can be a leader in using putting incentives for carbon sequestration to use and implementing clean coal technologies.  The future is bright for Montana as a leader worldwide in clean coal technology.