TOM LUTEY
Colstrip Power Plant operator and co-owner Talen Energy is eyeing a wind farm on the southeast Montana plains just outside the community where the coal-fired generator is located.
Documents obtained by The Billings Gazette show a targeted project area of roughly 14 square miles in Rosebud and Treasure counties where Talen Energy, in a joint venture with Pattern Energy, is pursuing lease agreements for a wind farm of unspecified capacity.
Both companies have energy interests in Montana currently. Talen has a 30% share of Colstrip Unit 3, a power plant facing increasing pressure to close by late 2025. Pattern owns the 80-megawatt Stillwater Wind Farm near Reed Point, which sells electricity to NorthWestern Energy.