67th Legislature SJ 33.1
1 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 33
2 INTRODUCED BY C. POPE
3
4 A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF
5 MONTANA REQUESTING AN INTERIM STUDY TO EXAMINE FUTURE ELECTRIC GRID CAPACITY
6 REQUIREMENTS, GRID TECHNOLOGIES, AND THE ROLES OF REGULATORY, PRIVATE-SECTOR, AND
7 STATE GOVERNMENT ENTITIES IN THE FUTURE OF THE GRID; AND REQUIRING THE FINAL RESULTS
8 OF THE STUDY BE REPORTED TO THE 68TH LEGISLATURE.
9
10 WHEREAS, economic and technological forces are rapidly transforming the supply and demand of
11 electricity on the Montana grid; and
12 WHEREAS, similar forces are transforming regional electricity markets; and
13 WHEREAS, the health, resilience, and stability of the state and regional grid is significantly dependent
14 on the timely access to sources of locally generated firm electricity and cost-competitive power contracted on
15 the open market; and
16 WHEREAS, peak-shaving energy efficiency initiatives, grid-connected energy storage, and future
17 participation in a Regional Transmission Organization are among other strategies for reducing in-state capacity
18 requirements; and
19 WHEREAS, policymakers, business leaders, ratepayers, and taxpayers are among the stakeholders
20 who seek an optimal path to a flexible, robust, resilient, and stable electric grid.
21
22 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF
23 THE STATE OF MONTANA:
24 That the Legislative Council be requested to designate an appropriate interim committee or statutory
25 committee, pursuant to section 5-5-217, MCA, or direct sufficient staff resources to study:
26 (1) the future capacity requirements of our state energy grid, including but not limited to the role and
27 contribution of regional markets to that state requirement;
28 (2) the expected in-state technological sources of that generation capacity, considering delivered
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1 price, environmental stewardship, flexibility, and cost benefit;
2 (3) the impact of future electricity loads that may drive future capacity requirements, including electric
3 transportation and increased electric water and space heating;
4 (4) the contributions of nongeneration technologies to achieve a more efficient, lower-peak grid,
5 including but not limited to utility-scale energy efficiency, demand side management, storage, and advanced
6 meters; and
7 (5) the role of the private sector, regulated utilities, and state government in the development of the
8 future grid.
9 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if the study is assigned to staff, any findings or conclusions be
10 presented to and reviewed by an appropriate committee designated by the Legislative Council.
11 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all aspects of the study, including presentation and review
12 requirements, be concluded prior to September 15, 2022.
13 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the final results of the study, including any findings, conclusions,
14 comments, or recommendations of the appropriate committee, be reported to the 68th Legislature.
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