Wind Power News: Montana
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
BPA proposes plan to pay wind developers to reduce power when rivers high
The Bonneville Power Administration today proposed paying wind energy developers for reducing output to help balance the electricity supply during high river flows. If BPA decides to proceed with the compensation proposal, it would seek to split the cost equally between customers including electrical cooperatives and public utilities like Idaho Falls Power, and wind developers. BPA is releasing its proposal for public review now so the agency can meet a March 6 deadline for filing the proposal with the Federal . . .
BPA offers to split costs when it pulls the plug on wind farms
The Bonneville Power Administration has proposed to cover half the cost of wind farms’ lost revenue when it shuts off their output because there is too much hydropower already being generated in the region. Renewables advocates said Tuesday that the approach is unacceptable. The cost-sharing proposal is the latest bid to end a dispute that began this spring, when the federal power marketing agency accommodated the massive spring runoff and resulting surge in power production by cutting off wind farms . . .
Judge: Eminent domain law constitutional
The disputes between the Montana Alberta Tie Ltd. power line developer and the landowners in the line’s right-of-way entered a new phase on Jan. 11, when 6th District Court Judge William Nels Swandal determined that a 2011 state law granting retroactive eminent domain authority to entities that obtain a certain state permit is constitutional. Five landowners of an original dozen who filed the lawsuit contesting the validity of House Bill 198 in the 9th Judicial District Court now face condemnation . . .
Wind farms face raptor blowback
Habitat concerns increase siting scrutiny — With its strong westerly winds, Kevin Rim, a prominent series of sandstone cliffs 20 miles northwest of Shelby, is ideal habitat for wind farms, and NaturEner USA is planning to erect 126 turbines on private lands there by the end of the year. The rim also is ideal habitat for raptors, earning a designation as an important Bird Area. Up to 10 Species, including federally protected golden eagles and the highest density of Ferruginous . . .
Montana wind farms face blowback over raptor habitat
With its strong westerly winds, Kevin Rim, a prominent series of sandstone cliffs 20 miles northwest of Shelby, is ideal habitat for wind farms, and NaturEner USA is planning to erect 126 turbines on private lands there by the end of the year. The rim also is ideal habitat for raptors, earning a designation as an Important Bird Area. Up to 10 species, including federally protected golden eagles and the highest density of Ferruginous hawks in Montana, nest in the . . .
Judge sides with MATL in condemnation
A district judge has upheld an eminent domain law passed by the 2011 Legislature, overruling objections from landowners who argued it was special legislation granting a Canadian company condemnation authority for a transmission line between Great Falls and Lethbridge, Alberta. Landowners in Pondera, Teton and Cascade counties, where Montana Alberta Tie Line LLP is seeking easements, are challenging the constitutionality of the law. MATL is a subsidiary of Calgary-based Enbridge. In a decision issued Wednesday, District Judge Nels Swandal of . . .
Rim Rock wind farm moving forward in Glacier, Toole counties
NaturEner USA of San Francisco announced Tuesday that the renewable energy company has received financing it needs to proceed with construction of a 189-megawatt wind farm on 21,000 acres in Glacier and Toole Counties, its third wind farm in Montana. NaturEner says it expects the Rim Rock project to be operating by the end of 2012. The wind farm, which would feature 126 Acciona wind turbines, will produce enough energy to power more than 60,000 homes. NaturEner announced it is . . .
County commissioners support Public Lands Renewable Energy Act
In addressing our country’s debt crisis, the President and Congress need look no further than the great state of Montana. Our diversified economy must be a marvel to behold in states that are making desperate attempts to balance their budgets on the backs of taxpayers. Montana is one of only 12 states operating in the black with a projected $426.7 million surplus for fiscal year 2011. While this is exciting news, we must continue looking for ways to keep Montana . . .
Montana-Alberta wind power line faces regulatory delays
CALGARY — A merchant power line linking wind generation in Montana to Alberta’s electricity grid will be delayed, but not as long as proponents had applied for. Provincial regulators denied Enbridge Inc. a request to extend permitting deadlines on the Montana-Alberta Tie Line by a year, instead granting the pipeline and energy giant a regulatory break until May 2012. Power line builder and operator AltaLink was included in Wednesday’s decision on the 230-kilovolt transmission line by the Alberta Utilities Commission, . . .
Locals can listen to eminent domain hearing
The lawyers for the trouble-plagued Montana Alberta Tie Ltd. transmission line will present their arguments at 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 22 that MATL L.L.P. has the authority of eminent domain and that landowners along the right-of-way had ample opportunity to engage in the public review process before the corridor was determined. The power line is partly built between Great Falls and Lethbridge, Alta. The hearing will take place in the Livingston courthouse before 6th District Court Judge William Nels Swandal, . . .
