Tester, Daines introduce bill to complete Montana hydroelectric projects

U.S. Sens. Jon Tester (D-MT) and Steve Daines (R-MT) introduced legislation last week to extend the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) licenses of two hydroelectric projects in Montana.

The bill would reinstate and create a three-year extension of the license for the Clark Canyon Dam Hydro Project in Dillon, Montana as well as a six-year extension of the license for the Gibson Dam Hydro Project near Augusta, Montana for six years.

“Montana has incredible energy resources and the Gibson and Clark Canyon Dam projects will responsibly develop those and create good-paying jobs for Montana,” Tester said. “Reducing our dependence on foreign oil and putting Montanans to work in the process is Montana common sense.”

The legislation, introduced in the 114th Congress, advanced the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on July 30, 2015. The U.S. House of Representatives advanced the bill on March 15, 2016.

“The Gibson Dam and Clark Canyon Dam are critical for tax revenue and jobs in Montana communities,” Daines said. “This bills will help create more Montana made energy projects that provide a reliable source of energy and will create good-paying jobs.”

Clark Canyon Dam is expected to create 30 to 40 jobs during construction and one to two permanent jobs, eliminate over 18,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, power 1,200 homes each year, generate $611,000 in state and federal taxes over the first five years of operation and $37,000 in property tax contributions over the same time period.

Gibson Dam is expected to create 15 to 25 jobs and up to $5 million in wages during construction, provide an average of $500,000 in tax revenue annually for Teton and Lewis and Clark Counties and reduce 40,000 carbon dioxide emissions by more than 40,000 metric tons each year.