NorthWestern Energy announced this month that it’s acquiring co-owner Avista Utilities’ stake in the Colstrip coal-fired power plant. Colstrip's mayor says it's a relief, but environmentalists say it's a step in the wrong direction.
Citing a need for reliable power, NorthWestern Energy on Monday night announced an agreement to secure ownership of Colstrip Units 3 and 4 while the owner, Avista, retains the responsibility of decommissioning and cleaning the plant when it eventually shutters.
Conservation groups have filed a formal complaint with state and federal agencies against Signal Peak Energy, a criminally-convicted coal company operating an underground coal mine in the Bull Mountains just north of Billings, Montana.
The Montana Tunnels mine near Jefferson City filed a petition Monday seeking Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, which raised questions about who will end up paying for reclamation.