Montana
Montana needs reliable energy
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.
The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 10, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from May 10 drawing
06-22-28-31, Bonus: 08
Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 10 drawing
01-03-20-35-46, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
- Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
- Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.
Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.
The Socorro Independent School District honored and celebrated its top two educators at the 2026 Teacher of the Year Gala on Friday, May 8 at the El Paso Convention Center.
Cristina Garcia, a fifth-grade teacher at Mission Ridge Elementary School, was recognized as the 2026 SISD Elementary Teacher of the Year. Javier Esparza, an audio and video broadcast teacher at Socorro High School, was named the 2026 SISD Secondary Teacher of the Year.
https://www.ktsm.com/news/socorro-isd-honors-top-2-teachers-at-gala-celebration/
EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — A proposed high-voltage transmission project in far East El Paso is raising concerns among residents in the Montana Vista area, as developers work to determine a potential route that could impact private property.
The project, known as Pecos West, is being developed by Grid United and would create a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line connecting El Paso to southeastern New Mexico.
According to the company, the goal is to link major parts of the U.S. electric grid, specifically the Western and Eastern interconnections, allowing electricity to move in both directions between regions. Developers say the project could strengthen energy reliability, expand access to power markets, and help prevent outages during extreme weather.
Grid United also describes Pecos West as a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure investment that could bring jobs, tax revenue, and long-term economic benefits to communities along the route.
However, for residents in Montana Vista, the immediate concern is not the long-term benefits, but what the project could mean for their land.
At a community meeting Saturday morning, several residents were able to voice their concern, telling KFOX14/CBS4 they feel they have not received enough information about the project’s path or timeline, especially as discussions about a preliminary route continue.
“We haven’t got anything from you,” said Armando Rodriguez, president of the Montana Vista Landowners. “Not one quote.”
Others echoed concerns about communication, calling on the company to directly notify homeowners who may be affected.
“You need to go to these houses, give people information, and say this could affect you,” one resident said.
Grid United says the project is still in the planning and development phase, and no final route has been approved.
The company says construction would only begin after securing regulatory approvals and negotiating land agreements with property owners.
Company representatives also emphasized that landowner participation is voluntary.
“Pecos does not have eminent domain,” said Alexis Marquez, community relations manager for the project. “If a landowner does not want it on their property, we would look at alternate routes.”
Developers say outreach will continue as planning progresses, but residents are asking for more direct communication now, especially those who believe they could be directly impacted.
The project is not expected to be completed anytime soon, with Grid United estimating that Pecos West could become operational in the mid-2030s if approved.
For now, the conversation in Montana Vista reflects a familiar tension seen in large infrastructure project, balancing long-term regional benefits with local concerns about transparency, property, and community impact.
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