On June 13, Gov. Greg Gianforte vetoed bipartisan laws that would have created a community solar program in Montana. Photo voltaic advocates together with the Coalition for Group Photo voltaic Entry had despatched a letter to the Montana Public Providers Fee committing to work hand-in-hand with regulators and lawmakers on the specifics of this system if handed.
“We’re confounded by Governor Gianforte’s determination to veto SB 188, a bipartisan, pro-business invoice that handed with overwhelming assist from greater than 100 lawmakers throughout get together strains and that was supported by 1000’s of Montana households, companies, and a broad coalition of stakeholder teams. The one stakeholders who opposed the invoice had been the monopoly utilities, which makes the choice much more worrisome,” stated the Montana Renewable Power Affiliation and the Coalition for Group Photo voltaic Entry in a joint assertion.
“SB 188 represented a significant step towards a extra inexpensive, resilient, and diversified power future for Montana. It could have expanded power choices for households, small companies and farmers throughout the state — particularly in rural communities — and encourage non-public funding in homegrown energy. The invoice was absolutely aligned with the Governor’s personal acknowledged objectives: advancing an all-of-the-above power technique, supporting American-made power, making Montana enticing for personal capital funding, and reducing prices for Montanans. Whereas we respect the Governor’s position within the legislative course of, we consider this was a missed alternative to place these rules into apply and permit the PSC to hold out the tasks they had been elected to carry out,” the teams continued.
