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• Energy development booming in Montana Play Video

  April 3, 2012 9:47 PM

  BILLINGS - Montana's energy development is booming. With our natural resources flourishing and businesses growing, leaders are meeting in Billings for the first Montana Energy 2012 conference. Energy development is booming in our region from coal to wind to oil. "Energy is influencing our economy, creating jobs, helping... more »

• Montana Capitol to go dark for "Earth Hour"

  March 31, 2012 5:16 PM

  HELENA- Governor Brian Schweitzer has joined the "Earth Hour" effort and lights will be turned off at the Capitol in Helena on Saturday, March 31st, from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm. During that hour, people around the globe will turn off their non-essential lights for one hour during Earth... more »

• University sponsored energy conference draws criticism Play Video

  March 9, 2012 8:26 PM

  MISSOULA- A handful of legislators and private industry groups are upset with Royce Engstrom and Waded Cruzado, the presidents of the University of Montana and Montana State University, respectively. The presidents sponsored the Power-Shift conference on UM's Missoula campus in February that was advertised as a way to hear... more »

• Flathead business's new look renews energy Play Video

  February 1, 2012 8:18 PM

  WHITEFISH- Midway Mini Mart in the Flathead is one of four small businesses in Montana to receive a Renewable Energy for America Program grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Midway Mini Mart owner Melody Watts says the gas station and convenience store was given $45,000 of grant money... more »

• Energy boom boosts demand in MT welding industry Play Video

  January 26, 2012 9:45 PM

  BILLINGS - Eastern Montana's energy boom is benefiting the state with thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in new tax revenues. MSU-Billings College of Technology welding instructor, Bob Blackwell says that there's a growing demand for qualified welders. "What I'm seeing is actually a tremendous growth in... more »

• Group to show what is saving energy in the Flathead

  October 6, 2011 6:29 PM

  KALISPELL- A renewable energy sources group has completed a study on how the local economy is connected with energy use. Thursday night the group Repowering the Flathead is revealing the findings of that study that will show what uses of saving energy are working in the Flathead Valley. ... more »

• $5.3 million awarded to Montana research station

  May 7, 2011 4:56 PM

  In an effort to reduce America's reliance on imported oil, Montana-Based Rocky Mountain Research Station was awarded $5.3 million for Biomass Research and Development. The Obama administration issued the grant which is funded by the USDA and Department of Energy. The Rocky Mountain Research Station is just 1... more »

• Biomass research money coming to Missoula

  May 5, 2011 2:27 PM

  WASHINGTON, DC- The U.S. Forest Service's Rocky Mountain Research Station has picked up over $5 million from the federal government to pursue biomass research and development. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced on Thursday that a total of $5.3 million has been granted to... more »

• MSU: Major scientific breakthrough in algae biofuel Play Video

  November 11, 2010 11:01 AM

  BOZEMAN - Aeam of Montana State University researchers made a scientific breakthrough that has eluded scientists for decades. The summer discovery makes algae a much more viable source of biofuel. Science and industry have been making biofuels for a long time, from things like corn oil, soybean oil, and... more »

• Google to help build East Coast wind farm

  October 12, 2010 9:07 AM

  NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Google is investing in a new wind farm power grid to be located off the East Coast of the United States. "We just signed an agreement to invest in the development of a backbone transmission project off the Mid-Atlantic coast, that offers a solid financial... more »

• MATL construction to bring wind energy, jobs to MT Play Video

  September 16, 2010 8:38 AM

  GREAT FALLS - Local governments can soon look forward to increasing their tax base in a big way, as construction of the Montana Alberta Tie Line (MATL) is making its way through the state, along with hundreds of millions of dollars. Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer and NaturEner representative Bill... more »

• Plans for UM biomass plant moving along Play Video

  September 9, 2010 8:19 AM

  MISSOULA - Administrators at the University of Montana are moving forward with plans to build a new biomass plant on campus. The facility would reduce the university's carbon footprint by 20% while also helping the school achieve its stated goal of being carbon-neutral by the year 2020. Biomass... more »

• $800 million in renewable energy coming to MT

  August 4, 2010 4:01 PM

  HELENA - Wednesday morning a Spanish energy company, NaturEner, announced it has secured financing for an $800 million renewable energy project to begin in Montana. The 309 megawatt wind energy project called Rim Rock is being financed through San Diego Gas and Electric, which will receive renewable energy credits... more »

• PSC approves NorthWestern rate hike

  July 10, 2010 12:04 PM

  HELENA -The Montana Public Service Commission has done an about-face and given NorthWestern Energy the green light to temporarily increase gas and electricity rates. One week after saying "no" to the request, PSC Commissioner Gail Gutsche of Missoula changed her mind and voted in favor of the plan. ... more »

• New Anaconda facility to produce power for MT

  May 14, 2010 4:02 PM

  BUTTE - NorthWestern Energy hit the lights on a tour of its new transmission facility in Anaconda Thursday afternoon. The expansive compound features a treatment plant that injects water into a series of turbines which power a generator that regulates energy supply versus demand. "This power plant is... more »

• Future of Montana biomass plant discussed Play Video

  May 9, 2010 11:44 PM

  HELENA - Legislators met in Helena last week to discuss whether or not Montana can support a biomass plant. Last session Legislature appropriated $475,000 to study Montana's potential for developing a biomass generation plant. NorthWestern Energy received $125,000 while Porter Bench Energy received $300,000. The two companies have... more »

• Bozeman explosion settlement offered

  April 16, 2010 1:43 PM

  BOZEMAN - NorthWestern Energy has agreed to a settlement with the City of Bozeman over the March 5, 2009 downtown explosion. Approval of the nearly $163,624 settlement awaits Bozeman City Commission approval on Monday. NorthWestern has offered to pay for the Bozeman's incremental costs for the blast.This includes all... more »

• Land Board cuts minimum price for MT coal bids

  February 17, 2010 10:07 AM

  The discussion about opening up Powder River Basin to coal development heated up on Tuesday at the State Capitol. The State Land Board decided in December to allow coal companies to bid on developing over 9,000 acres in Southeast Montana. The original motion set the minimum bid at 25-cents... more »

• Regional power plan approved

  February 11, 2010 1:42 PM

  The plan for keeping the lights on across Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington over the next 20 years will also keep greenhouse gas pollution to a minimum. Officials with the Northwest Power and Conservation Council say that most of the increased demand for electricity can be met with improved... more »

• Schweitzer part of Obama clean coal meeting Play Video

  February 4, 2010 10:07 AM

  President Obama wants to see affordable clean coal technology on a widespread scale within 10 years as part of his administration's strategy to achieve American energy independence. Energy was the key topic as the President met with 11 governors, including Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer on Wednesday. Click here... more »

• Montanans in D.C discuss clean energy possibilities Play Video

  February 3, 2010 7:41 PM

  A group of Montana farmers and business owners are in Washington D.C. this week to urge action on clean energy legislation they say will save the environment and the economy. Some 11 Montanans from Billings, Helena, Bozeman and the Flathead gathered on Capitol Hill, telling the senate they want... more »

• Storm hitting much of MT, Utility offers tips

  January 23, 2010 2:32 PM

  A major storm is slamming parts of Eastern Montana, which has prompted NorthWestern Energy officials to advise their customers to get prepared for the bad weather. Utility officials say that power outages may be caused by forecasted icing conditions in some locations in eastern Montana as well as high... more »