Program Descriptions and Contacts
| Program | Agency | Contact | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Income Energy Assistance Program | Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services | The Montana Citizen's Advocate toll-free, at 1-800-332-2272 |
The Low Income Energy Assistance Program(LIEAP) pays part of winter heat bills for eligible households. Several utilities offer LIEAP recipients additional discounts on their bills. |
| Weatherization Program | Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services | The Montana Citizen's Advocate toll-free, at 1-800-332-2272 |
The Weatherization Program helps participants improve the energy efficiency of their homes to reduce energy consumption. The Warm Homes Montana Program provides education materials to clients on how to save energy and gives low/no cost weatherization assistance. These programs help households whose annual incomes are at or below 150% of poverty guidelines. |
| Energy Ombudsman Program | Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services | The Montana Citizen's Advocate toll-free, at 1-800-332-2272 |
The Energy Ombudsman Program provides services that identify and address emergency energy heating situations as well as enable households to reduce their energy burdens. The program assists households whose annual incomes are at or below 200% of poverty. |
| Energy Tax Credits | Montana Department of Revenue | Customer Service Center at (406) 444-6900 |
The Montana Department of Revenue offers a number of tax credits to homeowners and businesses that make investments in energy conservation. The best known of these is probably the Energy Conservation Installation Credit which is a tax credit applied against an individual's income tax liability. Montana residents can claim the credit for energy conservation investments made to a home or other building. |
| Reverse Annuity Mortgage (RAM) | Montana Department of Commerce | Justin Schedel with the Montana Board of Housing at 800-761-6264 |
Reverse Annuity Mortgage (RAM) - The Montana Board of Housing implemented the RAM program in October of 1990. Lower income seniors, 68 years or older may borrow against the equity in their homes to increase their disposable income. This additional income may be used to cover utility expenses, medication, food, etc. |
| The Housing and Environmental Quality Program | The Montana State University Extension Service | Mike Vogel or Luke Elliott at 406-994-3451 |
The Housing and Environmental Quality Program provides educational materials and training for providers of low-income weatherization programs in Montana. Our training covers all aspects of home energy saving and weatherization to optimize the savings achieved. MSU Extension offers 16 different weatherization client education brochures for the HRDC’s and for the general public. These brochures cover all aspects of home energy savings. The program also has a public information Kiosk that focuses on healthy homes and that can be reprogrammed for use in energy education. We offer energy saving programs to 4-H programs, Tribes and to Montana Seniors. We have outreach in each Montana County through the Extension offices and through existing weatherization programs via the HRDC’s as well as existing programs in Tribal reservations. |
| State Energy Program | Department of Environmental Quality | DEQ at 406-841-5200 or visit the Energize Montana website |
State Energy Program - The DEQ provides information and technical assistance on energy conservation for homes, businesses, schools, public buildings and vehicles. Workshops, publications, and web site information is available on energy conservation in existing buildings, new home construction, energy efficiency lighting, energy efficient appliances and other products. Information on renewable energy resources including wind, solar, and geothermal is also available. |
| Biomass Energy Program | Department of Environmental Quality | Howard Haines 406-841-5252 or Brian Spangler 406-841-5250 |
Biomass Energy Program - The DEQ provides information and technical assistance on biomass energy systems including both heating systems and vehicle fuels. Small and large-scale wood for energy systems, biodiesel and ethanol are the areas covered. Financing for projects is not available. |
| Alternative Energy Loan Program | Department of Environmental Quality | Kathi Montgomery 406-841-5243 or visit the Alternative Energy Loan Program web page for application materials |
Alternative Energy Loan Program - The DEQ offers loans for individuals, businesses and non-profit organizations. Beginning in February, up to $40,000 will be available for the installation of solar, wind, biomass, geothermal and small-scale hydropower. Current interest rates for the loans is 5%. Currently, loans are available for $10,000. |
| State Buildings Energy Program | Department of Environmental Quality | Ken Phillips 406-841-5244 or visit the Energize Montana website |
State Buildings Energy Program - The DEQ offers financing for energy improvements in state owned buildings and universities. Financing is paid for through energy savings. |
| Energy Performance Contracting | Department of Environmental Quality | Mike Duncan 406-841-5241 or visit the Energize Montana website |
Energy Performance Contracting - The DEQ offers limited technical assistance for schools and local government buildings and referrals to Energy Service Companies for energy improvements in buildings. Buildings are studied to determine the potential for energy savings. Improvements are paid for through the energy savings. |
| Energy Share | Energy Share of Montana | Rachel Haberman at 406-442-4900 |
Energy Share of Montana provides one-time only assistance to Montanans facing emergency heating needs. Clients include "working poor" who do not qualify for government programs but are in need of assistance. |
| Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) | Montana Public Service Commission | 1701 Prospect Ave. Helena, MT 59620 Phone number: 406-444-6199 Complaint Line: 800-646-6150 |
It is the responsibility of the PSC to ensure that public utilities in Montana provide adequate service to customers at reasonable rates. In its decisions, the commission tries to balance the interests of ratepayers who are concerned about utility costs with the utilities' need to have the opportunity to earn a fair rate of return on their investment. The Montana Consumer Counsel is charged by law to represent consumer interests in matters before the commission. |
