Skees said at an earlier hearing that his HB 273 was removing the referendum process allowing such proposals to join the “modern media circus” and leaving it to the citizens of Montana, but through elected officials.
He was asked by Democratic members of the panel why he believed the legislature could make a better decision than the public.
Skees said lawmakers could have more targeted and targeted discussions.
The Democrats raised their objections again during an Energy, Technology and Federal Relations Committee hearing on February 10th.
“I’m very concerned about this bill … it is a bill to cut out the voice of the Montans,” said Rep. Denise Hayman, D-Bozeman. She said the I-80 protected Montans from costly mistakes made in other states.
She said the 1978 vote was not an anti-nuke, but Montana wanted to be part of a major energy decision.
Rep. Andrea Olsen, D-Missoula, was disappointed because people had worked so hard to make sure they had a say on such matters.
“Who are we without the voice of the people?” She asked.
Rep. Katie Zolnikov, R-Billings, said nuclear power was the only source of energy in Montana that had to jump through such hoops and it would back Skees’ bill.
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