energy

Millions of dollars in grants to help rural business and agricultural producers in Montana remain tied up in federal funding freezes. The grant recipients are asking the state’s congressional delegation to ensure their contracts get paid.

Montana’s largest utility company announced Thursday that it plans to purchase a share of a new transmission line. This first of its kind high-voltage line could allow energy companies to trade power across the country and lower costs.

Montana’s governor held an invite-only session on Tuesday with the state’s most powerful utility companies and energy industry players. The governor asked his selected industry leaders how state policy could help them make more power.

Customers of the state’s largest utility will see a temporary seven percent decrease in their electricity bill costs starting this month.

The Bureau of Land Management’s proposal would make over 31 million acres of federal public land available for solar development applications. It identifies areas where large, utility-scale, solar installations could be built. The lands span across 11 western states, including Montana.

Puget Sound Energy has signed a 25 year contract to purchase energy from a wind farm being built in Central Montana.

Every three years Montana’s largest electric utility tells the public how it’s planning to meet energy demands, which is going on now. And it follows a major court ruling that found the state’s energy policy is contributing to climate change. MTPR’s Austin Amestoy sat down with reporter Ellis Juhlin to break down where NorthWestern’s plan fits into the new legal landscape.

A legislative effort to make Montana a so-called “Right to Work” state failed in committee. Lawmakers hear a bill requiring power suppliers to stockpile energy.

A NorthWestern Energy contractor is reapplying for a floodplains permit for a planned pipeline in Laurel after Yellowstone County withdrew its permission amid opposition from residents there.

Laurel residents say they're worried a future natural gas plant and supporting infrastructure could hurt the quality of life in their neighborhood.