The owners of the Colstrip coal-fired power plant are now required to study how the city of Colstrip will keep its supply of drinking water if the plant ever shuts down.
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte signed that requirement into law Wednesday.
Colstrip relies on the power plant owners to transport drinking water over 30 miles from the Yellowstone River.
Town Mayor John Williams stood in front of the legislature this year to ask for help in securing that flow if the plant closes
“We are very dependent upon that source of water for our town supply.”
Senate Bill 87 requires the power plant owners to study the steps the city can take to continue accessing its water supply for up to thirty years following closure of the plant.
NorthWestern Energy has said it will stay at the plant until 2042 at least, but other owners have indicated earlier exit dates as states like Washington and Oregon transition away from coal fired power.
The owners’ deadline to submit the study is November 2022.
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