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NorthWestern Energy to increase stake in Colstrip power plant

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NorthWestern Energy to increase stake in Colstrip power plant


HELENA — Leaders with NorthWestern Power have introduced they’re increasing their stake within the Colstrip energy plant, as a part of a deal they are saying will make sure the plant retains supplying energy by means of the top of the last decade.

“It gives certainty – certainty for the group, for the workforce, for the state of Montana – and it helps be sure that NorthWestern can reliably meet its prospects’ power wants,” stated John Himes, NorthWestern’s vice chairman of provide and Montana authorities affairs.

NorthWestern has signed a contract to take over Spokane-based Avista Company’s share of Colstrip’s coal-powered output from Items 3 and 4, efficient Jan. 1, 2026. The utility introduced the transaction Monday at a “Colstrip Group Legislative Reception” in Helena.

Himes stated Avista was transferring its curiosity at no cost to NorthWestern. Avista is already required to finish its funding within the Colstrip plant on the finish of 2025, due to a settlement settlement with utility regulators in Washington state.

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The deal would give NorthWestern authority to make use of as much as 444 megawatts of energy from Items 3 and 4 – double its present share. Himes stated Avista would proceed to be chargeable for its share of environmental remediation prices.

Colstrip has a posh possession construction, with six power firms all holding stakes. A number of of the businesses, based mostly in Washington and Oregon, are planning to transition away from coal-fired energy within the coming years.

This settlement comes a number of months after Talen Power, one other of the co-owners, introduced plans to amass the stake of Puget Sound Power. On Monday, leaders from Talen and PacifiCorp – one more co-owner – spoke on the Helena occasion and reiterated their dedication to the Colstrip plant by means of the top of the last decade.

NorthWestern leaders stated current high-demand occasions have strengthened the necessity for coal as a dependable, reasonably priced energy supply.

“I will be the solely CEO within the utility business including coal to his portfolio,” stated Brian Hen, NorthWestern’s president and CEO, through the reception.

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Himes stated, in occasions of utmost demand, NorthWestern is at present pressured to buy a lot of its energy on the open market. He stated, through the extreme chilly snap in December, they needed to depend on the out-of-state marketplace for greater than 40% of their wants – with the value typically many occasions increased than regular.

“There’ll be occasions, when we’ve got wind and photo voltaic working or the hydros operating at a extremely excessive time, that we gained’t want that further energy, however but it’s a particularly cost-effective safety blanket for after we do want it,” he stated.

Himes stated NorthWestern doesn’t consider the transaction would require any motion by the Montana Public Service Fee presently, as a result of it got here with no buy value to be handed on to ratepayers. He additionally stated it could not require any new legal guidelines from the Montana Legislature. In 2021, lawmakers had in depth debate on a proposed invoice meant to encourage NorthWestern to tackle a bigger share of the Colstrip plant.

Throughout Monday’s occasion, leaders from the Colstrip group hailed the information.

“My coronary heart is full tonight,” stated Colstrip Mayor John Williams. “I’ve had the distinction to have lived in that group for over 50 years, retiring from these vegetation. Colstrip is my life, so thanks for that announcement tonight.”

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“It is a nice event, to search out out that we truly are going to maintain producing energy out at Colstrip,” stated former state senator Duane Ankney, a former coal miner and some of the distinguished advocates for Colstrip throughout greater than a decade within the Legislature.

“I believe I can retire now,” Ankney added later.





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Montana Lottery Mega Millions, Lucky For Life results for Jan. 17, 2025

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The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 17, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Jan. 17 drawing

08-10-37-54-69, Mega Ball: 22, Megaplier: 3

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 17 drawing

01-04-06-09-46, Lucky Ball: 04

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Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Jan. 17 drawing

05-15-25-26, Bonus: 04

Check Big Sky Bonus 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.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

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Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

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.

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94-year-old Iowa-based trucking company closes terminal in Montana

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94-year-old Iowa-based trucking company closes terminal in Montana


Family-owned Decker Truck Line Inc. of Fort Dodge, Iowa, confirmed that it has permanently closed its terminal in Missoula, Montana, citing findings from a thorough review of its operations and freight network as the main reason for the closure.

“This decision was not made lightly, but it is necessary due to the changing freight network patterns and the associated costs of operating a full terminal that is not being utilized sufficiently,” CEO Dale Decker said in a statement Tuesday about the closure. 

As many as 18 positions were eliminated at the Missoula terminal, according to NBC Montana.

Decker said a small group of drivers was also affected by the closure but added that the company will continue to utilize truck drivers in Montana to haul freight.

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The trucking company said it plans to work with employees of the now-shuttered terminal to “explore relocation options” if they want to stay with Decker Truck Line.

“As our business continues to grow, our focus will shift more towards core regions. This strategy aims to enhance density in our well-established areas,” Decker said. “However, we will continue to require drivers residing in the Montana area, but we no longer consider it a strategic advantage for having a terminal in Missoula along with the associated overhead costs.”

The 94-year-old trucking company has around 790 company drivers and the same number of power units. It hauls general freight, refrigerated food and building materials, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s SAFER website.

Besides its home terminal in Fort Dodge, which has approximately 190 employees, Decker Truck Line operates terminals in Mediapolis, Iowa; Bessemer, Alabama; and Hammond, Indiana, as well as a maintenance facility in Des Moines, according to the company’s website.
 

“Although this location no longer offers sufficient value to warrant a terminal, expansion in other regions may prompt new investments in areas that do provide clear benefit to our network,” Decker said.

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Do you have a news tip or story to share? Send Clarissa Hawes an email or message @cage_writer on X, formerly known as Twitter. Your name will not be used without your permission.

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Why fight a 'clean and healthful' environment when it's good for all Montanans? • Daily Montanan

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Why fight a 'clean and healthful' environment when it's good for all Montanans? • Daily Montanan


Montanans are witnessing an inexplicably vicious attack on the ruling by the state’s Supreme Court that the plain language of the constitution guarantees “a clean and healthful environment in Montana for present and future generations.”  

What we haven’t heard is why a dirty and unhealthful environment is good for anybody — or the future of our state. 

Truly, why would anyone think they or their kids or grandkids would be better off with a degraded and toxic environment?  Yet, the court’s decision has sparked a misguided rebellion against the environmental laws that protect all Montanans — and an attack on the judiciary as if it’s some kind of enemy of the people.  

But it seems pretty clear that enemies of the people don’t rule to protect the people.  And ensuring that the laws passed by the Legislature comply with the Montana Constitution is the primary job of the Montana Supreme Court.  It’s the foundational checks-and-balances upon which our system of government relies to ensure the executive and legislative branches stay within constitutional mandates to preserve the rights of the people.

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Making war on the environment is a dead-end street — which we’re increasingly finding out as the tragedies driven by atmospheric pollution stack up along with the hundreds of billions of dollars to deal with the aftermath. So, where’s the wisdom in deciding to protect polluters at the cost to the rest of the populace?

How about this little truth: Pollution does not discriminate between Republicans and Democrats, nor Independents, Libertarians, or any other organizational clusters regardless of what they call themselves.  Nor does polluted air or water recognize any boundaries — we all need clean air and water, which is not only a shared resource, but a shared responsibility to provide those vital necessities to nourish, not poison, our people. 

The fact is, we have many good environmental and conservation laws on the books that serve all our people well. There’s simply no good reason why one political party or another should be against those laws, none at all.  

Perhaps one of the greatest mistakes of the “environmental movement” was attaching itself at the hip with the Democratic Party.  Yet, in Montana’s history, it has often been Democrat governors who have been responsible for some of the worst environmental decisions. 

In the mid-1980s, Democrat Gov. Ted Schwinden cut the coal severance tax in half to supposedly make Montana competitive with Wyoming.  He succeeded in losing hundreds of millions of dollars for the Coal Tax Trust Fund, but it didn’t save the coal industry because distance to market was the deciding factor. 

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Democrat Gov. Brian Schweitzer morphed into the “Coal Cowboy” within one year of taking office.  His mission?  Save the coal industry by peddling economically ridiculous proposals for coal-to-liquids when fracking was producing record amounts of cheap oil and gas. 

Democrat Gov. Steve Bullock allowed radioactive waste from the Bakken fracking operations to be disposed of in Montana’s landfills — because it’s illegal to do so in North Dakota.

Of course Republicans have their own rogue’s list of bad decisions and policies — but there’s not room in one column to cover all those.  

There’s absolutely no reason whatsoever why a clean environment should be partisan.  The great attractions of Montana are our clean rivers, our blue skies, and an abundance of fish and wildlife that are the envy of the nation and world.  The Constitution plainly states: “The state and each person shall maintain and improve a clean and healthful environment in Montana” — and that’s a legacy worth upholding. 

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