Speeches

Remarks by Governor Judy Martz
Alternative Energy Conference
Great Falls, Montana
October 10, 2001

Check Against Delivery

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to join you today as you discuss an issue of critical importance to the state of Montana - the development of alternative energy sources.

I appreciate seeing all of you here as we move forward with discussions about alternative energy opportunities in Montana.

I want to introduce to you Mark Lindberg. Mark recently came on board with the Office of Economic Opportunity as the state's energy specialist. Mark has a great background with electric cooperatives, and will play a key role as we move forward with both alternative and traditional power expansion in our state.

In this day and age, and in light of the tragic events of September 11, we as a nation must look internally for opportunities to supply our own energy sources. Montana is a state with incredible potential - and with a responsibility - to supply food, fiber, and power throughout America and the world.

Our society has an increasing appetite for energy. With the increase in computer usage, air conditioning, microwaves and all the amenities in life we enjoy, is it really a surprise that energy consumption has increased?

And while our appetite for energy has increased, we have done very little to meet our increased demands. California for example, until recently, hadn't addressed power generation in many years, despite large annual increases in energy demand.

While the nation searches to meet its power needs and Montana seeks economic growth, we need to recognize that we hold an important key to both challenges.

We have an opportunity in Montana to develop a three-legged stool approach to energy production and use. Every leg of this stool is equally important to building a stable energy plan for Montana.

First, we must work to encourage the development of alternative energy sources in our state. Make no mistake. Montana must capitalize on the enormous potential for alternative energy sources such as wind and solar power.

Second, we all must look for methods to conserve energy - in our homes, our businesses, our schools and our communities. There is no down side to conservation. In times of shortage, conservation helps to stretch needed power supplies.

We have developed a statewide initiative - Energize Montana -- to encourage all Montanans to join state agencies to reduce energy use by 10%.

Third, and, just as importantly, we must also look at our traditional power generation potential, and the development of that potential in an environmentally sound manner. We must not lose sight of the need to diversify our power generation needs.

A strong and healthy combination of alternative energy production and traditional natural resource generation is critical as we seek stability in fluctuating power markets.

In these three areas lies the enormous opportunity for Montana. We can reverse the decades long movement away from the responsible development of our natural resources.

I am very excited that a number of projects are in the discussion and very preliminary planning phases for the construction of wind generation facilities.

My administration will be at the table to provide the assistance and additional incentives investors need to make wind projects a reality.

Montana can and must rise to help meet the energy demands of our state and our nation.

We can compete. We can produce. And we can grow our economy in the process.

We have an opportunity to play an important role in the development and implementation of a thoughtful approach to energy generation and consumption on a state and national level.

This meeting - the very fact that you are here today - is absolutely critical to supporting a stable approach to energy development and conservation.

We must continue open and honest discussion as we work to provide Montana and the surrounding areas with new opportunities that allow low-cost generation of energy supply.

We must continue these discussions as we seek ways to reduce and stabilize skyrocketing power prices. And we must accomplish this while enhancing Montana's economy.

I want to talk with you about three major bills that I signed into law in the 2001 Legislative Session that will have an incredible impact on our state's ability to produce alternative energy.

Senate Bill 506, which was carried by Senator John Cobb, offers incentives for wind energy expansion on state lands. This bill also took necessary steps to clarify the definition of alternative energy system.

As a part of this bill, the Department of Environmental Quality is in the process of implementing rules for a new Alternative Energy Revolving Loan program. The maximum loan amount is $10,000, with a payback over five years for alternative energy systems for individuals or small businesses.

Eligible systems include wind, geothermal energy, low emission wood or biomass, fuel cells that do not require hydrocarbon fuel, and other recognized non-fossil forms of energy generation.

Funding of this program will be from air quality permit violation penalties collected by DEQ.

House Bill 643, carried by Representative Juneau, includes sections that directly encourage the expansion of wind energy on reservation lands. This move, when carried forward will not only help in energy development, but will also produce additional jobs for Native Americans.

House Bill 600 created incentives for private energy generation to be used by individuals. Specifically the bill exempts certain non-commercial electrical generation machinery and equipment from property taxation.

These bills provide a framework in which we can address numerous power generation opportunities.

Let me cite just one example of how we as Montanans can look 'outside the box' for ways to build and expand our power base.

We have seen increased interest in utilizing traditionally under-valued or no-valued timber byproducts to produce electricity.

This prospect grows increasingly attractive as the United States Forest Service begins to implement The National Fire Plan.

This plan addresses the health of our forests, in part by focusing on mechanical treatment of small trees and shrubs that contribute to catastrophic fires.

With the General Accounting Office identifying over 40 million acres of interior west forestlands at risk for catastrophic fire, we have potential biomass energy resources at our disposal.

Clearly, we have a tremendous amount of energy reserves on our public lands.

From wind to solar power, from coal to coal bed natural gas, from natural gas to timber byproduct co-generation, we have the potential to be much more self reliant in energy production.

We must be careful that we do not stifle the increasing interest to develop additional power.

Let me be crystal clear. By working together we can make the marketplace work the way it is supposed to.

I don't want government in the power business, but I do want government to create an entrepreneurial climate that forces energy generators to be the good corporate citizens I know they can be.

With the tools the legislature gave us - we can make great strides toward building a competitive energy market.

Some people want us to blame one another for our energy challenges. I want us to work together to realize our full potential.

Some people say we cannot solve this problem. They say we have to turn back the clocks.

They are wrong.

Isolating Montana is not the answer. We cannot, we must not, go backward.

Moving forward in an open and honest manner is the Montana way. That's the only way I know. I ask all Montanans to unite with me to be a part of a Montana-made solution.

As Governor, I am committed to working with those interested in putting our resources and our people to work.

I know that many of you here today have new and unique ideas for putting our state's wind, sun and other resources to work for this state and nation. To each of you, who have dedicated your time, interest and resources in Montana, let me say thank you for choosing Montana.

I keep saying that "Montana is open for business". I hope that we - all of us together - can work to open new, alternative energy businesses in this great state.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts with you this morning, and for your continued work to build and enhance our energy opportunities in Montana.

-END-