A Kalispell state senator has been granted permission to intervene in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission proceedings on the sale of Kerr Dam near Polson. 

A July 8 notice published by the commission states that motions from both Sen. Verdell Jackson, R-Kalispell, and Lake County to intervene in the proceedings have been granted.

A story in Saturday’s Inter Lake incorrectly reported that a federal agency had rejected Jackson’s request to halt the sale of Kerr Dam to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. In fact, the matter is still being considered by the commission.

The story, which had originated with the Lake County Leader, outlined how Jackson was seeking to stall or halt the scheduled transfer of federal license for the dam to the tribes, but misconstrued the meaning of a legal document that Jackson had submitted.

The document was Jackson’s response to PPL Montana’s motion that Jackson not be admitted as an intervenor. PPL Montana is the current owner of the dam.

Jackson and Lake County are concerned about potential losses of tax revenue once the dam is operated by the tribes. And Jackson is concerned that the tribes will not be obligated to operate the dam as it has been for flood control, irrigation, power production, recreation and fisheries unless the new federal license expressly requires it.

He notes that PPL Montana has been under the oversight of the Montana Public Service Commission, but the commission will not have oversight authority over the tribes.

“The only oversight will be under the FERC license,” Jackson asserts.

“PPL has done a lot of good things through policy... but any policies that PPL has won’t be relevant anymore,” he said.

Tribal officials contend the public will not see a change in operations.

Some ratepayers fear the tribes might raise rates for electricity produced by the dam, but the federal commission will regulate costs just as it always has, tribal spokesman Rob McDonald told the Lake County Leader.

“People won’t see a difference,” he said.

Tribal officials say the only difference ratepayers will see is that more economic benefits will stay in the local area instead of going to PPL’s Pennsylvania headquarters.

Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by email at jmann@dailyinterlake.com.