Sen. Jon Tester met with Troy officials on Friday morning to discuss the town’s pressing need to replace its water distribution system.

“Troy’s got some issues with water, big water projects they’ve tackled and gotten some money from the state,” Tester said. “We’re trying to get them some federal dollars.”

Last month, the Senate Appropriations Committee set aside more than $32 million for energy and water projects in Montana in the fiscal year 2009 Energy and Water Appropriations bill. Troy’s water project is among several included in the bill.

Fixing the town’s water system has continued for years. The current renovation phase revolves around the replacement of underground piping and installing a disinfecting system.

“You have to have good water,” Tester said. “If you don’t have good water, you certainly aren’t going to have much of an economy.”

Tester said officials also talked to him about a proposal for power generation utilizing forest byproducts.

The senator finished his business in the immediate area with a trip up to Libby Dam to meet with officials about his energy plan.

Tester’s three-part energy plan includes:

• Drill in more places that make sense, such as eastern Montana.

• Crack down on out-of-control manipulation of the oil market.

• Embrace conservation and renewable energy like biofuels, wind, solar power and geothermal.

Tester planned to get information about the feasibility of adding another generator in an open slot at the dam.