By Marilyn Wolff, Stevensville
Are you ready for major increases in your utility bill?
Well, that’s what you can expect if Senate Bill 331 passes. The state Senate passed the bill and my Senator Fred Thomas voted yes. The bill is now beginning its review in the House. I’m hoping my Rep. Sharon Greef will want to protect consumers and vote NO. SB 331 is essentially government overreach and greed and allows the biggest utility company in Montana, NorthWesterm Energy (NWE), to buy 50% shares in a Colstrip Plant for $1. Furthermore, the bill allows no oversight by the MT Public Service Commission for ten years in which time NWE can pass on $75 million worth of remediation costs to consumers. Sounds like corporate welfare to me, of the worst kind. Those who defend this bill say NWE needs more energy sources when it’s cold and the wind turbines aren’t turning. Baloney! NWE can buy on the market anytime without this giveaway bill.
Let’s remember Fred Thomas and Montana Power (MP). In fact, google Fred and MP. Montana consumers, thanks to that strong company, had the lowest energy rates in the nation. In 1997, Fred brought his energy deregulation bill to the legislature and it was passed over the objections of consumers, senior citizen groups, etc. Montana Power went under and shareholders, thousands of employees, and pensions went with it. Now Fred is at it again as the Senate Majority Leader.
Bottom line – if this bill passes many Montanans will pay terribly high energy costs. What can you do? Call the Legislature at 406-444-4800, and staff will take a message for your House representative, House President Scott Sales, and the committees who will review the bill like the Energy Committee. Lastly, think about retiring those in the next election who vote yes on this bill.