Gov. Greg Gianforte on June 13 vetoed a bill that sought to establish a legal framework for community solar projects in Montana.
Senate Bill 188 sponsor Chris Pope, D-Bozeman, argued before his colleagues at the Capitol that his proposal would expand access to locally generated, emissions-free power that would lower power bills for participants. He also argued that SB 188 would address utility companies’ cries for additional power sources to meet growing demand and improve the grid’s resilience to extreme weather events.
The community solar projects envisioned by Pope would have created a voluntary framework for participants to own a “share” of a solar array that feeds power into a monopoly utility-owned transmission system. Power generated by the project reduces the participants’ monthly bills.