Montana Considers Wildfire Mitigation Bill Amid Rising Fire Risks
Montana lawmakers are addressing the heightened risk of wildfires by proposing House Bill 490, which mandates utility companies to create wildfire mitigation plans while providing them with civil liability protections. The bill aims to prevent situations similar to those in California, where utilities faced bankruptcy due to wildfire liabilities. Mark Lambrecht, of the Montana Electric Cooperatives Association, emphasizes that the bill seeks to protect utilities from being automatically deemed responsible for wildfires.
Utilities like Northwestern Energy and Montana Dakota Utilities (MDU) collaborated on the bill, which passed overwhelmingly in both legislative chambers—99-0 in the House and 42-8 in the Senate. However, concerns have emerged from the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC). PSC President Brad Molnar has asked Governor Greg Gianforte to veto the bill, arguing that it could unjustly transfer liability to ratepayers without proper oversight.
If enacted, utilities would have their fire plans approved by either their boards or the PSC, limiting their liability but potentially increasing costs for customers. With pressing implications for residents and utility providers alike, the decision now rests with the governor.
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