Flathead Electric impacted by HB 641
by Duane Williams, KLCB 1230 AM Libby News Radio
March 25, 2009
Flathead Electric, with 47,000 members and 61,000 meters, would be the only member-owned Cooperative in the state adversely impacted by passage of House Bill 641. The House Committee was expected to vote on HB 641 on Wednesday, March 25th.
The bill is criticized as placing an undue burden on members of Flathead Electric Co-op.
Doug Hardy, representing the Montana Electric Co-op Association (MECA) said the bill, which mandates energy efficiency spending by utilities, would simply add another layer of government bureaucracy and create the likelihood of higher rates. In addition, House Bill 641, sponsored by Representative Art Noonan (D) of Butte, would require electric and natural gas utilities with more than 20,000 customers, to hire an independent consultant to perform efficiency evaluations.
FEC Energy Services Supervisor, Ross Holter, outlined the Co-op's long legacy of pursuing energy efficiency and the Board of Trustees approval in 2008 to launch four new energy efficiency programs.
Flathead Electric has already done energy efficiency assessments and already undergoes the rigor of oversight and verification from the Bonneville Power Administration. There is a huge duplication of effort and costs involved with compliance with this bill. It would require spending even more time and money compiling, analyzing and reporting.
"On behalf of Flathead Electric Cooperative, please do not burden our members with additional costs. Do not pass this bill," Holter said.
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Story by Duane Williams, KLCB 1230 AM Libby News Radio, www.todaysbestcountryonline.
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