Governor Vetoes HB 575 – Coal Bed Methane Water Welfare

April 29, 2009 in 2009 Legislative Session, Brian Schweitzer, Economy & Business, Energy, Environment, Montana, Water Quality

by jhwygirl

The Helena IR, yesterday, called it the sesson’s “Trojan Horse” and Lord knows I’ve ranted about this one numerous times already. So has Politics, Peaks, and Valley, which took a scathing swipe at both HB575 and its author, Democrat Representative Bill McChesney, of Billings.

This bill saw opposition in committee and impassioned debate on the Senate floor.

Many saw it as the affront to senior water rights that it is. Senators from both sides of the aisle. In the end, it was a 30-20 vote which sent it to the Governor.

This bill would have created a special “give me” water permit to coal bed methane operators, effectively sanctioning destruction and salination of water wells. Even in closed basins.

This bill was bad – it ignored the property rights behind water rights, and it was a pure affront to Montanan’s right to a clean and healthful environment.

And how I love referring to it in past tense verbs….Because….

It appears that the Good Gov has vetoed this bill, based on that big hint from the Flathead Beacon, and a twiny twitter from Session ’09.

But that’s all I got for now…..we’ll have to wait to find out what all was vetoed today.

A veto of HB575 gives Schweitzer some major street cred on environmental issues (IMHO)….

Governor? Thanks!

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