Montana Public Radio

energy

CSKT Signs 15-year Contract With Washington Utility

By • Mar 30, 2020
Courtesy of Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Energy Keepers Inc., owned by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, has signed a contract to sell hydroelectric power to a Washington state utility.

Public Service Commission Halts NorthWestern's Purchase of Colstrip Plant

By • Mar 17, 2020

 Edit 3/18: The article has been corrected to reflect the full name of the Montana Environmental Information Center.

Montana utility regulators say they need more information from NorthWestern Energy before considering the company’s request to buy an additional share in the Colstrip coal-fired power plant.

NorthWestern Responds To Consumer Advocate Criticisms Over Colstrip Buy-In Plan

By • Mar 16, 2020

 

NorthWestern Energy has filed to buy an extra 25 percent of Colstrip Unit 4 from Washington State’s Puget Sound Energy for $1. The Montana Consumer Counsel criticized NorthWestern for the level of information disclosed in the public plan the utility filed with state regulators last month.

Report: Early Coal Plant Closures Increase Probability Of Blackouts, Remain Unlikely

By • Mar 2, 2020


The state’s largest utility has warned the public about the potential likelihood of an electricity blackout while talking about how it intends to build up its energy portfolio. 

As Yellowstone Public Radio News reports, a 2019 analysis shows the region could face potential shortages as coal-fired power plants retire in coming years, but doesn’t factor in new power projects likely to come online.

Montana Supreme Court Hears Arguments Over Solar Power Cost

By • Feb 26, 2020
Solar panels. Stock photo.
(PD)

The Montana Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday over how the Public Service Commission should set the rates NorthWestern Energy has to pay for power it's required to buy from small solar projects.

U.S. Says Resuming Coal Sales Has Little Impact; Critics Balk

By • Feb 26, 2020
USDA NRCS

The Trump administration said Wednesday a resumption of coal sales from public lands that had been blocked under former President Barack Obama will result in a negligible increase in greenhouse gas emissions.

Helena Wants To Ditch Fossil Fuels By 2030

By • Feb 25, 2020
Windmill at the Judith Gap, MT wind farm.
David J. Laporte (CC-BY-2) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

A second Montana city has set a goal to turn away from fossil-fuels by 2030. The city of Helena approved a resolution Monday to move toward 100 percent renewable electricity.

The five members of the city commission unanimously backed the measure that aims to shift the energy makeup powering the Helena area.

For Now, Details On NW Energy Coal Supply Deal Won't Be Public

By • Feb 18, 2020
NorthWestern Energy building in Butte, Montana.
Nora Saks / Montana Public Radio

State utility regulators have agreed with NorthWestern Energy’s request to block details on its new coal supply contract from becoming public — at least for the moment. This comes as Montana’s biggest utility moves to buy a larger share of the coal-fired power plant in Colstrip. 

NorthWestern Energy Files To Buy Added Share In Colstrip Unit 4

By • Feb 7, 2020

 

The state’s largest utility filed its intent to purchase an added share of the Colstrip coal-fired power plant in eastern Montana on Wednesday.

NorthWestern Energy filed paperwork with the Montana Public Service Commission Feb. 6 asking for approval to buy an added 25 percent share of Colstrip Unit 4 from Puget Sound energy for $1. 

Sen. Fred Thomas On Deregulation, Term Limits And Three Decades In The Capitol

By Alex McKenzie - Montana Free Press • Jan 22, 2020
Senate Majority Leader Fred Thomas (R) - Stevensville
Mike Albans / Montana Public Radio

Last week, state lawmakers gathered in Helena for the first-ever Legislative Week, a five-day series of training sessions, interim committee meetings, and social gatherings aimed at maintaining connections between legislators during the 20-month break they typically take between legislative sessions.

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