US Supreme Court set to hear oral arguments in Montana coal tax case

Journal Article · Wed Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · Electr. Light Power; (United States)

OSTI ID:6404953

Montana defends it 30% coal severance tax as proper compensation for exporting an exhaustible resource, but 11 utilities and four coal companies are suing on constitutional grounds. The suit charges that the tax does not balance costs and benefits and that it represents an effort to export tax burdens. Montana contends that the tax passed in 1975 recognizes the state's long-term needs by requiring that 50% of the revenue be placed in a permanent trust fund for future social and environmental adjustments and questions whether the courts can put a monetary value on these impacts. The plaintiffs see the trust fund as an admission that the tax is excessive and the state's failure to comply with national energy policy. (DCK)

• OSTI ID: 6404953
• Journal Information: Electr. Light Power; (United States), Journal Name: Electr. Light Power; (United States) Vol. 59:4; ISSN ELLPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
017000 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Legislation & Regulations
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
293000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation
294001* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Coal
COAL INDUSTRY
COAL MINING
INDUSTRY
LAWSUITS
LEGAL ASPECTS
MINING
MONTANA
NORTH AMERICA
RESOURCE DEPLETION
ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION
SEVERANCE TAX
TAXES
USA