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Montana Hydrogen Futures Supporters: Your voice is needed

February 17, 2003 /

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We are making some progress with our efforts to move Montana into a
Hydrogen Economy. We have two items in this years legislature which I
feel will help us catch up a little with the other 15-20 states already
ahead of us and set the stage for the hydrogen business development that
we need here in Montana. There is a resolution that is being worked on
to endorse a Hydrogen Energy Plan for Montana and a Bill (HB377).

HB377
is a bill that has been introduced that would provide general
obligations bonding authority to the Board of Examiners up to $30 MM for
the Futures Park and hydrogen related businesses wishing to support the
growth and development of a Montana Hydrogen Economy. It provides quick
turn-around and is available only to businesses with sound business
plans and balance sheets (monitored by the Department of Commerce) who
want to invest in Montana’s hydrogen economy. Funds acquired through
these bonds would be secured by lease agreements and repaid by new tax
revenue generated by new jobs.

As we all know, it would be great if Montana could simply allocate funds
for this investment in the future. But, the fiscal realities of the
state make outright fund allocation almost impossible. I believe HB377
bonding is an important first step to promote hydrogen development
without negatively affecting the present budgeting process. My hope is
that by having bonding capability, we will send a signal to businesses
that we want to be an innovative leader not a stagnating follower in the
hydrogen economy.

Our bill, HB377, was passed by a 12-2 vote in the House Energy Committee
and sent to the House floor where it has been sent to the House
Appropriations Committee. On Wednesday, February 19th in room 102,
HB377 has been scheduled. Based on communications from the
Appropriations Chair, Dave Lewis, it sounds like it will have a tough
row to hoe. If you, your family members, and other community leaders
have a few spare minutes that you can contact any or all of the
Appropriations Committee members, I think it would be a valuable use of
time.

Thank you,

R. Paul Williamson, Dean

University of Montana College of Technology

909 South Ave, West, Missoula, MT 59801

(406) 243 7851 [email protected]

The Committee Members are below:

Dave Lewis, Chair, Helena, 458-5511, [email protected]

John Brueggeman, Polson, 883-2395, [email protected]

Rosalie Buzzas, Missoula, 728-0289, [email protected]

Tim Callahan, Great Falls, 454-0318, [email protected]

Edith Clark, Sweetgrass, 937-6905, [email protected]

Stanley Fisher, Big Fork, 837-2232 [email protected]