Lawmakers to Hear from Public on Carbon Sequestration, Public Power

HELENA - The Energy and Telecommunications Interim Committee will meet at 9 a.m. July 16 in Room 102 of the state Capitol to review public comments on carbon sequestration and publicly owned power. Additional comments will be accepted during the meeting.

In June, the committee asked for public comment on two draft reports, titled "Perspectives on Public Power: A Review of the Public Power Model, Its History, and Its Potential in Montana" and "Carbon Sequestration Study: An Analysis of Geological and Terrestrial Carbon Sequestration Regulatory and Policy Issues."

The committee will review those comments at the July 16 meeting.

In addition to the draft reports, the committee is considering two draft bills related to carbon sequestration.

Public comment on those will also be accepted July 16.

One of the draft bills establishes the surface landowner as the owner of underground pore space that could be used to store carbon dioxide, compressed air, or other substances.

The draft bill includes reporting requirements, protects existing oil and gas rights, and affirms the dominance of the mineral estate. The bill draft has been modeled after legislation approved by the Wyoming Legislature in early 2008.

The second draft bill calls for a study following the 2009 legislative session of geologic carbon sequestration, with a focus on liability, cost and jurisdictional issues.

The draft reports and legislation are available on the committee Web site at www.leg.mt.gov/etic. Copies of the reports also may be obtained by calling 406-444-3078.

Comments may be submitted by e-mail to snowakowski@mt.gov. Please include the words "carbon sequestration study" or "public power study" in the subject line.

To submit comments by mail, send to: Sonja Nowakowski, Legislative Environmental Policy Office, P.O. Box 201704, Helena, MT 59620-1704.