Susan Bilo for Montana Public Service Commission-Dist. 2

Susan Bilo for PSC

Pay More? What For?

  • Susan Bilo will represent Montana’s hard-working citizens and businesses by focusing on Affordable, Clean, & Reliable Energy! 
  • Susan Bilo has a strong energy background and will consider Costs, Human Health, and Ecological Impacts of multiple energy sources.

“As your commissioner, I will make sure the multiple benefits of renewable energy and storage are given fair consideration, utility bills are kept fair and affordable, and that our energy infrastructure is modernized, reliable, and resilient. We have the knowledge and technologies to transition to a clean energy economy, but we lack the political will. That’s why I need your support!“
— Susan Bilo for Montana PSC

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“Susan will work hard to represent you – Montana’s ratepayers – and bring a long-overdue balance to the Public Service Commission.”

– Brian Schweitzer, Montana Governor, 2005-2013

What is the Montana PSC?

The Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) is a state agency that regulates private, investor-owned companies.  In Montana, that includes Northwestern Energy and Montana-Dakota Utilities that provide natural gas and electricity services.

The PSC includes five elected commissioners as well as support staff.  Commissioners represent districts composed of Montana Legislative House Districts.  I am running for PSC District 2 that includes Montana House Districts 39 – 42, 46 – 59,  and 61 – 62. These districts are found in Gallatin, Park, Carbon, Stillwater, Sweetgrass, Big Horn, Rosebud, and Yellowstone Counties.

Investor-owned utilities are beholden to their shareholders and develop strategies that provide a fair return on investments.  The PSC makes sure the IOU’s make money, but are also charged with making sure customers have adequate energy infrastructure and service at reasonable rates. For more information, visit the PSC website: https://psc.mt.gov/

Platform

Montana can attain a Clean, Affordable, & Reliable energy infrastructure.  I will host open, input-gathering events to hear from citizens and businesses before major decisions are made – especially when long-term plans are developed.  I will consider that input and work with PSC staff and commissioners to research and implement the following strategies:

CLEAN: Integrate more Renewable Energy into Montana’s energy infrastructure and clean-up existing Fossil Fuel facilities and operations.

Renewable Energy:

  • Integrate more renewable energy into our utility scale and local energy infrastructure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, and the water use required for fossil fuel power plants.
  • Consider climate change’s negative impacts on Montana’s water, forests, and agriculture as determined by Montana’s Climate Assessment.

Fossil Fuels:

  • Update pollution controls.
  • Research funding opportunities and best practices for safe Carbon Capture and Storage projects.

AFFORDABLE: Keep Electricity and Natural Gas bills fair and affordable.

Utility-Scale Electricity:

  • Integrate more cost-competitive/cheaper utility-scale solar and on-shore wind renewable energy onto the electric grid.
  • Consider that renewable energy is a free fuel that stabilizes costs because it is not susceptible to volatile open market purchase prices.
  • Develop Qualifying Facility (QF) contract terms to attract competition.
  • Participate in the western organized energy markets to sell and buy cheaper electricity.

Regional & Local Electricity:

  • Reduce barriers for Montanans who want to produce their own electricity. 
  • Support Community Solar and Green Power programs.

Natural Gas:

  • Increase the marketing of and options for investor-owned utility energy efficiency programs. Why? Because most Montanans spend most of their energy dollars on natural gas for space and water heating.

RELIABLE: Modernize our utility grid and make it more reliable and resilient.

  • Integrate Battery Storage that makes all energy sources more reliable and dispatchable (available upon demand).
  • Design Microgrids that prevent widespread power outages and reduce long distance line losses.
  • Invest in Smart Grid technologies that give consumers control over how and when they use energy to reduce demand and save money.
  • Protect our energy infrastructure by making it weather/climate change-proof, vandalism-proof and hack-proof.

Endorsements

    Biography

    I have over 25 years of energy efficiency and renewable energy project and program experience.

    As an instructor for Montana State University (MSU) – Gallatin College , I teach Energy & Sustainability and Energy- Efficient Technologies and Renewable Energy – an HVAC technology workforce program course. I taught solar energy and net zero energy building Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) courses and statewide solar energy workshops with MSU Extension.

    I am a member of the Montana Renewable Energy Association active on the Education & Outreach and Policy Committees. I served two terms on the Board of Directors. My energy background includes serving as an energy specialist for a state energy office, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

    Contact

    Email:                  SusanBilo4PSCDist2@gmail.com

    Phone:                 (406) 624-6382 (landline)

    Address:              P.O. Box 544, Bozeman, MT 59771

    Follow Susan Bilo for PSC on Facebook

    1.  Via ActBlue

    2.  Send a check to:  Susan Bilo 4 PSC Campaign, P.O. Box 544, Bozeman, MT 59771

    Paid for by Bilo4PSC Campaign; P.O. Box 544, Bozeman, MT 59771; Democrat

    Images courtesy of University of Minnesota, Pexels, and USDOE

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