Montana’s Energy Future Must be Guided by Facts

Via The Bozeman Daily Chronicle:

Montana must continue discussions about our energy future. We respect the views Mary Sedwick expressed in letters to the editor. We all need to work for cleaner energy. Here things that need to be included in a fact-based energy policy dialog.

NorthWestern Energy’s Montana electric portfolio is approaching 70% carbon free today and expect that percentage to continue growing over time as our electric generation portfolio transitions to new technologies. That growth in carbon-free resources must be done using a thoughtful approach to ensure affordability and service reliability. We must maintain adequate energy sources that can be used when demand is the highest — during adverse weather. Every Montanan wants lights and heat during the coldest, darkest days in winter and Colstrip is critical to our ability to provide energy at those times.

Our Montana portfolio has almost two times more wind generation than coal generation. But if the wind isn’t blowing electricity from coal is necessary to keep the lights on in Montana.

NorthWestern Energy’s first rate review request in a decade is pending before the Montana Public Service Commission. Montana PSC proceedings and decisions are public and available online. That is also the case with the 2008 Montana PSC order approving a value for our share of Colstrip Unit 4.

With some power plants set to shut down soon, we are very concerned that the power supply market is going to be limited and may not even be available at critical times. NorthWestern Energy’s draft Electricity Procurement Plan addresses that concern in a progressive manner, providing a responsible path to transition to even more of a carbon free portfolio that is reasonable.

Montana’s energy future needs to be guided with fact-based policy to keep the heat and lights on, especially at critical times, at affordable rates.

See the article here.