Montana

Montana needs reliable energy

Published

2 years ago

January 28, 2024

Last week the big news was the record setting minus 22 degrees. Many used the event for cliché laden debates on “climate change.” A onetime event does not indicate climate change or causation. Global trends are not established by the record high or low temperatures in Laurel. Even more fun is the discussion of facts and the implications of those facts.

The dance between high and low pressure areas, which caused the cold spell, was not the impetus of this discussion. Rather, it was a Facebbook post by Montana Public Service Commission President Jim Brown.

On Jan. 13 Brown posted, “If you are a NorthWestern energy customer, as of 6:30 a.m. this morning, here is where the power that is keeping you warm at present is being generated … hydro 202 MW, thermal 292 MW, wind 0 MW, solar 0 MW.”

To put a fine point on it, if NorthWestern were more reliant on renewable energy and less blessed with thermal energy fuel/generation, every pipe in their Montana service area would have frozen. People and livestock would have perished.

The “soft cap” on market based energy purchases is $1,000 per megawatt hour. NorthWestern customer’s normal cost of rate-based and contracted energy is $70 per megawatt hour.

At my recent Energy and Telecom Interim Committee meeting, response to the record-setting cold was a main focus. NorthWestern Energy and our Public Service Commission presented the process and numbers required to provide the power that heated our homes and businesses.

Environmental groups challenged that over-reliance on natural gas to heat homes and generate electricity was a mistake because there are issues with supply and pipeline capacity. They inferred that building more pipelines and gas storage was a non-starter with them. And they pointed out that during the cold snap renewable energy over performed on several days.

“Renewable” usually means that the energy is intermittent. Too hot or too cold, and the wind is a no-show. Too cloudy, or dark, and solar is a no-show when it is needed most. Reliability is never part of the contract.

A letter from the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission to the head of Excel Energy asking them not to follow the national trend by closing down coal plants and replacing them with renewable generation spawned spirited discussion. They pointed out that such closures could cause blackouts even during normal weather patterns.

The corporate impetus is that there are massive tax breaks for building renewable projects and major legal hurdles put in the way of even the maintenance of fossil fuel generation or procurement of fuel.

Witness the recent decision of Judge Seeley in the “climate kids” case, AKA Held v. State of Montana. Though an identical suit was dismissed by the 9th Circuit the juvenile plaintiffs argued that fossil fuels interfered with their right to a healthful environment and that renewable resources are available and viable. One plaintiff testified that climate change caused his feet to feel hot during soccer practice. The Montana Supreme Court has ruled that Seeley’s ruling is enforceable until their final ruling. The federal court ruled this issue is best handled by the legislative and executive branches of government.

The most recent concern is a plan to breech four hydro-electric dams on the Lower Snake River because several tribes claimed the dams resulted in lower catches of salmon.

The four dams produce 3,000 MW of electricity at full pool and 1,000 MW at low pool. The dams all have fish ladders that allow 90% of the salmon to migrate and spawn. If breeched the generation would be replaced by wind generation.

Given the same cold snap as Montana just experienced that would be zero generation. The final decision will affect 100,000 Montana co-op members

Perhaps Attorney General Austin Knudson should have pointed out to Judge Seeley that the right to a healthful environment includes the right to not die in the cold and dark.

Sen. Brad Molnar, R-Laurel, is a former Public Service Commission vice chair.

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Montana

Brickner leads Idaho against Montana State

Published

12 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Press Room

Brickner leads Idaho against Montana State

Idaho Vandals (13-9, 5-4 Big Sky) at Montana State Bobcats (13-10, 7-3 Big Sky)

Bozeman, Montana; Thursday, 9 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Idaho plays Montana State after Isaiah Brickner scored 31 points in Idaho’s 79-62 win against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks.

The Bobcats have gone 8-1 in home games. Montana State ranks second in the Big Sky at limiting opponent scoring, giving up 70.9 points while holding opponents to 44.4% shooting.

The Vandals are 5-4 in Big Sky play. Idaho is seventh in the Big Sky with 13.2 assists per game led by Kolton Mitchell averaging 3.7.

Montana State makes 46.3% of its shots from the field this season, which is 2.6 percentage points higher than Idaho has allowed to its opponents (43.7%). Idaho has shot at a 45.2% clip from the field this season, 0.8 percentage points above the 44.4% shooting opponents of Montana State have averaged.

The Bobcats and Vandals meet Thursday for the first time in Big Sky play this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Jed Miller is averaging 14.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals for the Bobcats. Christian King is averaging 2.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Mitchell is shooting 38.2% from beyond the arc with 2.5 made 3-pointers per game for the Vandals, while averaging 14.1 points and 3.7 assists. Biko Johnson is averaging 14.8 points over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Bobcats: 7-3, averaging 77.1 points, 30.7 rebounds, 10.2 assists, 6.7 steals and 2.9 blocks per game while shooting 45.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 73.0 points per game.

Vandals: 5-5, averaging 76.9 points, 30.6 rebounds, 10.1 assists, 6.5 steals and 2.3 blocks per game while shooting 44.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 75.4 points.

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Montana

Montana DEQ adopts new rules for alternative burns after incinerator malfunction

Published

24 hours ago

February 3, 2026

Press Room

Montana DEQ adopts new rules for alternative burns after incinerator malfunction

BILLINGS — The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has implemented new regulations for all incinerator permit holders in Yellowstone County following a September incinerator malfunction at the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter facility.

Billings Animal Control was burning methamphetamine, and YVAS workers reported meth-laced smoke filled their building during the incident.

Under the new regulations, all incinerator permit holders must now request approval for alternative burns directly from the DEQ. Previously, RiverStone Health was responsible for approving alternative burns.

The DEQ said an agreement renewal reflecting this change will be sent to all permit holders in the next few months.

The City of Billings faces additional scrutiny as the DEQ has referred the September methamphetamine burn to their enforcement program. The program is reviewing alleged violations of the Montana Clean Air Act for formal enforcement consideration.

Drug incineration mishap sickens Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter employees
City planning restoration of Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter building
Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter searching for homes for strays following meth malfunction

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Montana

Is This The Best Breakfast Spot In Montana?

Published

2 days ago

February 3, 2026

Press Room

Is This The Best Breakfast Spot In Montana?

One of my favorite food activities is to go out for breakfast.

Here in Montana we have all kinds of wonderful spots to grab breakfast, in fact a few are very well known. There’s Paul’s Pancake Parlor in Missoula, Shellie’s Country Cafe in Helena, Stella’s Kitchen and Bakery in Billings, and of course the legendary Western Cafe here in Bozeman.

We all have our favorite breakfast foods.

Me, well I’m a biscuits and gravy type of guy. It’s one of my favorite meals and my go to when it comes to trying out a new place. I figure if you’re biscuits and gravy pass the test, than everything else is probably good to go.

However, there is a one breakfast spot here in Montana that’s receiving lots of attention and many claim it might be the best breakfast in the state. So, where is this place that’s getting rave reviews?

The restaurant is actually located in a hotel in Billings.

Bernie’s Diner is located in the Northern Hotel and has a fun, nostalgic feel to it. One look at the menu and you know that that Bernie’s means business. They have all of your favorite breakfast favorites like biscuits and gravy, corned beef hash, eggs with your choice of breakfast meat, but they also have some one-of-a-kind dishes as well.

Things like Captain Crunch French toast, chicken and waffles, elk sausage, and the “Vacation Breakfast” are all on the menu. Oh, and in case you were curious as to what the Vacation Breakfast is, you get a big piece of chocolate cake along with a chocolate shake.

What is the average price for breakfast?

The other impressive part are the prices. They start at around 10 dollars and nothing on the menu cost more than 18 bucks. So, the next time you’re in Billings, you might want to give them a shot and see if you agree that it’s one of the best breakfast spots in Montana.

Where is your favorite spot to grab breakfast? Let us know by sending us a message on our app.

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