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Great Falls Tribune
May 8, 2009
Schweitzer nixes changes to renewable energy quotas HELENA (AP) Ñ Gov. Brian Schweitzer has vetoed two bills that critics say would have weakened state-mandated renewable energy quotas. Senate Bills 257 and 403 both passed the Legislature easily and were supported by some of the state's major utilities. Schweitzer vetoed the bills late Friday afternoon. One would have allowed hydroelectric dam upgrades done since 2004 to qualify as renewable energy, a change that opponents said would destroy state requirements to purchase wind or solar energy. The other is a complex measure that would have made it easier for companies, such as NorthWestern Energy, to meet renewable quotas. The state's two leading wind producers, Invenergy and NaturEner USA, recently sent the governor a letter opposing the bills.
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