STATE LEADERS

Montana State Senator Wins Utility Deregulation Legislation

Montana State Senator Steve Doherty (Flemming Fellow ’97) has played an important role in utility deregulation. With the devolution of responsibility to the state level, state legislators are looking at methods to restructure utility regulations in order to lower consumer costs. In Montana, Doherty helped build support and pass substantial legislation to provide consumers with more buying power to negotiate with utility companies for their services. Previously, consumers could not choose their electricity supplier, creating a myriad of problems for the consumer and the utility company. Under the new law, citizens will create a "buyer’s co-operative" to explore the utility market to find the best service for the best price. Companies will also benefit by capturing larger market shares instead of smaller individual markets that have made poor customers in the past. The legislation ensures that fairness and consumer interests are high priorities, that hometown utilities continue to provide for their local customers, and that no one is left out. Doherty has provided the leadership in utility restructuring efforts in Montana and throughout the region. The efforts in Montana are a model for other states as well. Doherty says, "The Montana utility deregulation initiative is landmark legislation. It will provide a model for the Pacific Northwest and other states where attempts to deregulate have previously failed." Doherty has received numerous awards for his legislative accomplishments including the Conservation Eagle Award from the Northwest Energy Coalition, the Distinguished Service Award from the Montana Bar Association and the 1994 National Energy Award for Achievement in the Area of Building Technology; from the Environmental Quality Council Residential Energy Standard Collaborative.