NorthWestern Energy Plans For More Wind; Says New Coal is Too Risky

December 17, 2007 - NorthWestern Energy plans to double it's wind power capacity over the next seven years and steer away from new baseload coal plants, according to the company's 2007 Montana Electric Supply Resource Plan, filed today with the Montana Public Service Commission.

The South Dakota-based utility currently contracts for the full output of the 135 megawatt Judith Gap wind farm and plans to add at least 150 megawatts more of new wind power to comply with the Montana Renewable Portfolio Standard law enacted in 2005.

According to a company press release, NorthWestern Energy has already met the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standards through 2009 and will be soliciting additional renewable resources in 2008 for its 2012 and 2014 needs. In addition to new wind power projects, the utility plans to explore the addition of biomass and geothermal resources.

While the company plans to pursue new renewable energy resources, it will steer clear of new baseload coal plants, citing concerns about "extreme uncertainty and risk associated with greenhouse gas emissions." According to the company's resource plan, "Until CO2 policy is clarified, NorthWestern does not anticipate the acquisition of rate based baseload generation." The plan goes on to state that "NorthWestern will not pursue the development of pulverized coal until the carbon issue is clarified."

Burning coal at power plants is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States and accounts for the bulk of the utility sector's emissions.

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Click here to view NorthWestern Energy's press release on the 2007 Montana Electricity Supply Resource Plan.

Click here to view and download NorthWestern Energy's 2007 Montana Electricity Supply Resource Plan.