MontanaCoal-fired unit operators would provide long-term water access to cities
The failed proposal would require certain Montana coal-fired unit operators to keep local cities supplied with water after a unit closes or retires.
What it does
Operators of Montana coal-fired units with at least 200 megawatts would provide water for the local city or town if the unit closes or retires.
Cleanup plans would show financial protection for the local water supply 30 years after final remediation; cost savings could not guide conveyance maintenance or replacement decisions.
Argument forLong-term water access could help a local city or town avoid losing residential and business water service after a unit closes.
Argument againstOperators may face significant long-term costs because they would need to maintain water infrastructure and provide financial assurance after cleanup.
More detail
A coal-fired generating unit operator would provide water for the city or town where the unit is located. The duty covers residential and business water use and applies to coal-fired generating units in Montana with at least 200 megawatts of generating capacity. If the operator owns or operates a conveyance needed to maintain the public water system, the operator would operate that conveyance and provide access to the needed water. The operator would continue this access until contamination from the unit or its waste impoundments meets the department's cleanup standards at the required compliance point. The water-supply duty would apply if the generating unit closes or permanently retires, and conveyance operation and water access would continue until the stated cleanup standard is met.
A cleanup plan for a coal-fired generating unit would have to show financial assurance for the needed local water supply. The requirement applies to remediation under the coal-cleanup law and covers the water supply, operation, and access needed by the local government served by the unit. The assurance would cover the necessary water supply 30 years after final remediation of the unit's operation and access. The department could not consider cost-effectiveness when evaluating maintenance or replacement of a water-supply conveyance under the proposed water-access section. The financial assurance would address the water supply 30 years after final remediation of the unit's operation and access.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2025
- Jun 17Chapter Number AssignedLatest
- Jun 16(H) Veto Override
- May 23(H) Veto Override Vote in Progress
- May 16(H) Vetoed by Governor Greg GianforteMajor
- May 7(H) Transmitted to GovernorTo Governor
- May 7(S) Signed by PresidentPassed Senate
- May 6(H) Signed by SpeakerPassed House
- Apr 15(H) Returned from Enrolling
- Apr 12(H) Sent to Enrolling
- Vote recorded Do Concur. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 12(S) 3rd Reading
- Apr 12(S) Scheduled for 3rd ReadingMinor
- Apr 11(S) Committee Report - (S) Finance and Claims
- Vote recorded be_concurred_in. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 11(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Finance and Claims
- Apr 11(S) Hearing - (S) Finance and Claims
- Apr 11(S) Rereferred to Committee - (S) Finance and ClaimsMinor
- Apr 10(S) 2nd ReadingMinor
- Vote recorded Do Concur. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 10(S) Scheduled for 2nd ReadingMinor
- Mar 24(S) Committee Report - (S) Natural Resources
- Mar 21(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Natural Resources
- Vote recorded be_concurred_in. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 12(S) Hearing - (S) Natural Resources
- Mar 6(H) Revised Fiscal Note Printed
- Mar 6(H) Revised Fiscal Note Signed
- Mar 6(H) Revised Fiscal Note ReceivedMinor
- Mar 5(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Natural ResourcesMinor
- Mar 4(H) Transmitted to Senate
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 4(H) 3rd Reading
- Mar 4(H) Scheduled for 3rd ReadingMinor
- Mar 4(H) Committee Report - (H) Appropriations
- Mar 3(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Appropriations
- Vote recorded do_pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 3(H) Fiscal Note Printed
- Mar 3(H) Fiscal Note Signed
- Mar 3(H) Fiscal Note ReceivedMinor
- Mar 1(H) Hearing - (H) Appropriations
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 1(H) Rereferred to Committee - (H) AppropriationsMinor
- Mar 1(H) 2nd ReadingMinor
- Mar 1(H) Scheduled for 2nd ReadingMinor
- Feb 25(H) Committee Report - (H) Natural Resources
- Vote recorded do_pass_as_amended. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 25(H) Fiscal Note Requested
- Feb 25(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Natural Resources
- Feb 14(H) Hearing - (H) Natural Resources
- Feb 7(H) Hearing Canceled - (H) Natural Resources
- Feb 4(H) Hearing Canceled - (H) Natural Resources
- Feb 3(H) 1st Reading
- Feb 3(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Natural ResourcesMinor
- Jan 31(H) Introduced
- Jan 30(LC) Draft Delivered to Requester
- Jan 29(LC) Draft Ready for Delivery
- Jan 29(LC) Draft in Assembly
- Jan 29(LC) Draft in Final Drafter Review
- Jan 28(LC) Draft in Input/Proofing
- Jan 28(LC) Draft in Edit
- Jan 27(LC) Draft in Legal Review
- 2024
- Dec 14(LC) Drafter AssignedIntroduced
Environment & EnergyPublic SafetyGovernment & Ethics