Company gets OK for $253 million wind farm, energy storage in central Montana
Last month, Stillwater County approved two phases of a wind farm that will incorporate large batteries for storing energy. Construction on the project is set to begin this summer and employ 175 workers.
Latest ENERGY Reporting
Judge strikes pre-approval statute that bestowed ‘exclusive and lucrative financial benefit only on NorthWestern’
A Missoula judge struck down a law that granted NorthWestern Energy reimbursement for new energy-generating assets from customers. In a May 6 opinion, District Court Judge Jason Marks deemed the pre-approval statute passed by the Montana Legislature in 2003 unconstitutional because it applies only to NorthWestern.
BLM releases 3,400 acres for oil and gas leasing in Montana and North Dakota
The reinstatement of lease auctions for oil and gas drew suspicion from industry groups and advocates, frustration from environmental groups.
NorthWestern Energy pulls preapproval application for natural gas plant
NorthWestern Energy, the South Dakota-based utility company that supplies power to approximately two-thirds of Montana’s residents, has decided to withdraw its application for PSC preapproval of a new natural gas plant in Laurel. The company will now build the plant on an accelerated timeline and seek to recoup its costs through the normal ratemaking process.
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MORE ENERGY REPORTING
Ratepayers will get day in court over utility pre-approval
A district court judge has ruled that three Missoula residents and climate advocacy group 350Montana can proceed with their challenge to a 2003 state law that guarantees NorthWestern Energy can recoup costs from planned power-producing assets.
Federal oil and gas leasing program back in play in Montana
The federal government is moving forward with oil and gas leasing on 6,277 acres of Bureau of Land Management property in Montana following a judicial order directing the Department of the Interior to resume lease sales on federal lands.
Oil groups sue Biden over leasing pause
Eleven industry trade groups including the Montana Petroleum Association and the American Petroleum Institute filed a lawsuit this week challenging the Biden administration’s moratorium on oil and natural gas leasing on federal lands.
TC Energy scraps Keystone XL pipeline
The 13-year saga of the Keystone XL pipeline came to a close yesterday when TC Energy, formerly TransCanada, announced that it is terminating the project.
What’s next for NorthWestern Energy?
Montana’s largest regulated utility submits an application to the PSC for a new natural gas plant and battery storage project.
The Session podcast
What we’re looking forward to in week 17 of the Montana Legislature: last-minute legislation and maneuvering.
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