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• • "Greenhouse gases" among issues that split MT legislators
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  • "Greenhouse gases" among issues that split MT legislators

A series of three draft bills addressing the state's energy policy were stalled in the interim committee on Thursday.

The Energy and Telecommunications Committee is split down the middle with four Democrats and four Republicans.

During the revision of the draft bills, nearly every motion failed due to a split vote. Senator Verdell Jackson of Kalispell motioned to strike "man-made greenhouse gases" from the draft. This motion drew strong criticism from the Democrats.

Senator Cliff Larsen of Missoula responded, "The one place we even talked about recognizing this, you are recommending striking. So I ardently oppose your motion."

Representative Harry Klock from Harlowton supported the motion by saying, "There is no significant evidence that man-made gases are leading to climate change."

The energy policy addresses renewable energy sources and recognizes the value of coal fired generation. It also promotes the development of projects that convert coal into electricity

The ETIC will bring the draft bills to legislators during the next session in January.