O'Donnell to Chair Subcommittee on Clean Coal and Carbon Management

HELENA, Montana — Montana Public Service Commissioner Tony O'Donnell (R-Billings) will lead a group of state utility regulators from across the country investigating opportunities for clean coal and carbon management.

The group, which is organized as a subcommittee of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, explores the use of lower-emission coal and methods of carbon management. The subcommittee also educates state regulators on new developments for carbon sequestration, storage, and use.

O'Donnell said one of his priorities as the leader of the group is to explore technologies that use the byproducts of coal-fired electric generation to make new products and materials.

"Cutting-edge technology that turns carbon emissions and other coal byproducts into valuable materials could be a game-changer," said O'Donnell. "Advances in technology have the potential to breathe new life into parts of Montana and the nation that are affected by the diminishing demand for coal. It is more important than ever for regulators and utilities alike to know about the latest advances in clean coal and carbon management, which could prove to be a cost-effective and competitive way to generate energy and support good paying jobs."

The president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, Paul Kjellander, appointed O'Donnell as Chair of the Subcommittee on Clean Coal and Carbon Management on March 30, 2021. At the state level, O'Donnell also serves as a member of Montana Information Security Advisory Council.

The Commission regulates private investor-owned natural gas, electric, telephone, water, and sewer companies, certain motor carriers, and oversees natural gas pipeline safety and railroad safety within Montana. The Commission works to ensure that Montanans receive safe and reliable service from regulated public utilities and that the utilities charge fair prices. For more information, visit psc.mt.gov or contact the Commission at 1-800-646-6150. Follow the Commission at Twitter.com/@MT_PSC or visit Facebook.com/MontanaPSC.