Administrative Rules of Montana
Department 17 - ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Chapter 17.20 - MAJOR FACILITY SITING
Subchapter 17.20.13 - Application Requirements-Evaluation of Alternatives
Rule 17.20.1301 - GENERATION FACILITIES, EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVES

(1) An application must contain an evaluation of the nature and economics of alternatives to the proposed facility, including alternative energy technologies that could be implemented at the proposed site, the no action alternative, and alternative technological components and pollution control systems for the proposed facility. An application must contain a comparison of alternatives leading to selection of the proposed facility as the preferred alternative, and an explanation of the reasons for selection of the proposed facility. Alternative energy technologies include, but are not limited to, alternative combustion technologies, alternative coal conversion technologies, alternative boiler designs, cogeneration and alternative uses of waste heat, alternative wind, hydropower, and geothermal generation technologies, and the direct application of energy resources.

(2) An application must contain an evaluation of the no action alternative, wherein no action would be taken to meet the purpose or provide the benefits the proposed facility is designed to meet or provide.

(3) An application must contain an evaluation of alternative technological components and subsystems that could be employed by the proposed facility that could substantially reduce the cost or environmental impacts of the proposed facility including, but not limited to, air and water pollution control systems, cooling systems, and transmission and distribution systems and those required by ARM 17.20.1418(10) and department Circular MFSA-1, Sections 3.11 and 3.12.