Interim study on interstate power grid development
Summary
SJ 21 is a joint resolution directing the Montana Legislative Council to assign an interim study on interstate power grid development. The study is intended to examine whether Montana should participate in new cooperative interstate agreements or an interstate compact for electric transmission, and to evaluate the legal, regulatory, economic, and policy issues involved. It also asks the study committee or staff to look at market-based approaches, permitting reform, best practices from other states and regional transmission organizations, and the role of federal requirements in shaping any compact.
The resolution frames the study around the need to modernize and expand electric transmission infrastructure to improve reliability, lower costs, and reduce regulatory barriers. It specifically calls for consideration of technology-neutral principles, uniform siting and certification, streamlined permitting, open bidding, and cost-sharing mechanisms that allocate expenses among beneficiaries. The final findings are due before September 15, 2026, and must be reported to the 70th Legislature.
Impact
SJ 21 does not directly change Montana statutes or create a new regulatory program; instead, it authorizes an interim legislative study and directs staff or a committee to gather information and make recommendations. Its practical effect is to place interstate transmission policy, compact authority, and related permitting and cost-allocation issues on the legislative agenda for further review before any future statutory changes are considered. The study could influence future laws affecting utilities, transmission developers, ratepayers, regulators, and state participation in regional energy arrangements.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad support and little visible opposition. It passed the Senate and House with large margins, including unanimous committee approval in the Senate Energy, Technology & Federal Relations Committee and unanimous concurrence in the House committee. The vote totals suggest a generally favorable view of studying transmission expansion and interstate cooperation as a policy issue.
Contention
There is no recorded committee testimony in the provided materials, so specific objections are not documented. Based on the text, the likely areas of debate are whether an interstate compact could preserve Montana sovereignty, how costs would be allocated to ratepayers and industries, and whether market-based transmission development would reduce or increase regulatory control. The resolution itself anticipates these concerns by directing the study to examine legal implications, federal requirements, stakeholder input, and mechanisms to avoid duplicative regulation.