90-4-1005. Energy development and demonstration grant program. (1) There is an energy development and demonstration grant program within the department of environmental quality to fund technology development and demonstration:
(a) advancing the development and utilization of energy storage systems, including but not limited to mediums, such as accumulators, fuel cells, and batteries, that store energy that may be drawn upon at a later date for use;
(b) developing storage systems specifically designed to store energy generated from eligible renewable resources as defined in 69-3-2003, including but not limited to compressed air energy storage systems;
(c) promoting the efficiency, environmental performance, and cost-competitiveness of energy storage systems beyond the current level of technology; and
(d) advancing the development of alternative energy systems as defined in 15-32-102.
(2) Entities that may be eligible for grants include but are not limited to units of the Montana university system, agricultural research centers, or private entities or research centers.
(3) Money appropriated to the department of environmental quality for the purpose of the energy development and demonstration grant program may be used by the department for providing individual grants in amounts up to $500,000 and for administrative costs of 1% of the grant award.
(4) The grant application may include:
(a) a project plan sufficient to allow a reasonable determination regarding the potential feasibility of advancing energy storage or alternative energy systems;
(b) a business plan to allow a reasonable determination regarding the financial feasibility of the project; and
(c) a reporting process to ensure progress toward project goals.