Montana
Montana Rewewables looking to use injection wells in Pondera County for washwater – The Electric
Montalban Oil and Gas Operations has submitted an underground injection control permit application for the conversion of two existing wells.
The permit application is reviewed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which is accepting public comment on the application through Jan. 24.
The application is to convert two existing Class II underground injection control wells in Pondera County to Class 5 disposal wells.
The wells will be used for injection of industrial wastewater received from the Montana Renewables fuels refinery in Great Falls into the Madison Formation, according to the EPA.
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The EPA is proposing to approve Montalban’s request to convert the existing wells that Montana Renewables would use to inject wastewater generated from renewable feedstocks, which may include but aren’t limited to vegetable oils, animal fats, distiller’s corn oi and used cooking oil, according to the EPA.
If approved, injection will occur into the Mississippian Madison Aquifer formation at depths between 3,428 and 3,538 feet below the ground surface. An aquifer exemption is also proposed in connection to this injection well to expand a previously approved aquifer exemption for the entirety of the Madison formation, according to the EPA.
The wastewater comes from washing crop and beef tallow products, according to Montana Renewables, before they can use them to produce biofuels at the Great Falls facility.
According to Montana Renewables, the washwater is “non-hazardous, non-corrosive and does not contain radioactive materials,” and would then be delivered to Montalban injection wells in Pondera County.
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Montana Renewables said the feedstocks have to be cleaned of organic impurities before use. Those impurities include phosphorus and nitrogen, common salts such as calcium, potassium, sodium and magnesium, and other non-toxic materials.
The company built a pretreatment unit that uses a water-based process mixing feedstock with water and a weak acid, typically citric acid, to remove the impurities, then is pH-neutralized for discharge, according to Montana Renewables.
The company uses city water for the washing and it doesn’t come in contact with any toxic or hazardous materials in the process, according to the company.
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Montana Renewables said water samples have been independently tested to confirm it meets the federal permit requirements and isn’t hazardous.
Currently, Montana Renewables is transporting the washwater to EPA-permitted wells out of state and the company said that using wells in Montana will reduce rail transport and carbon dioxide emissions and keeps economic benefits in the state.
Montalban has advised that based on prior use at their wells, they can handle a capacity of at least 1,750 barrels daily or 73,500 gallons daily, according to Montana Renewables. Each water truck carries 150 barrels or 6,300 gallons and Montana Renewables said they expect a dozen daily trucks.
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Montana Renewables is working with the City of Great Falls and a consultant to complete a treatability study to determine if the washwater can be sent to the city’s water treatment plant. Once the study is complete, the company intends to submit a discharge permit to the city, according to Montana Renewables.
Montana Renewables plans to use the wells until a city discharge permit is approved or another option for onsite processing has been implemented.
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Documents from Montana Renewables and the EPA state that the injection wells won’t impact groundwater.
The public can submit comments to VelRey Lozano by email at lozano.velrey@epa.gov or by phone at 800-227-8917, extension 312-6128 or 303-312-6128.
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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