News
NorthWestern Energy acquires Avista Energy share of Colstrip, effective 2026
Published
1 year agoon
Posted By
AdminBy Nicole Girten DAILY MONTANAN
HELENA—“I may be the only CEO in the utility industry adding coal to his portfolio,” said President and CEO of Northwestern Energy Brian Bird at the Great Northern Hotel Monday night.
Northwestern Energy announced it signed a contract Monday acquiring all of Avista Energy in the active units in Colstrip, meaning Montana coal power will serve more Montana residents in 2026.
“This provides a mechanism for both Units Three and Four to stay open through the rest of this decade, which is absolutely critical for the community, for the state, and for allowing us to have sufficient adequate power in Montana,” said Northwestern Vice-President of Supply/Montana Government Affairs John Hines.
The audience included legislators, lobbyists and Gov. Greg Gianforte, who attended and gave remarks.
Gianforte was credited with having put the gears in motion for this deal, with new-on-the-job Bird saying the conversation kicked off at the bar at the Governor’s Cup Golf Tournament last summer.
“I was very pleased to have a hand in getting the parties to the table for a discussion, but just as it is with raising horses, you can lead them to water but you went into the bar and you drank on your own,” Gianforte said to Bird during his remarks.
The move means that Northwestern will acquire Avista’s share of ownership in the Colstrip plant, offering the company an exit it needed to fulfill laws passed in other states barring the purchase of coal-fired electricity. The move also helps stabilize one of the few operational coal fired plants in the West and provides Northwestern more generation capacity as demand grows. By closing the deal, Northwestern owns more of Colstrip, and will now be in a better position to determine the fate and future of the aging generation station.
Gianforte said it was a good deal for Montana, saying that the state’s grid would not be stable without it.
“And it’s a good deal for Colstrip, because we want to see this plant operate through its useful life,” he said.
Hines said the contract is effective Jan. 1, 2026, with no need for legislation or Public Service Commission approval. The acquisition will be for 222 megawatts. Dennis Vermillion, President and CEO of Avista Energy, said Avista will continue to honor its obligations at the plant until 2026.
Northwestern spokesperson Jo Dee Black clarified that when the time comes for rate changes, that will require PSC review.
Hines said that the deal cost Northwestern nothing and that it will not increase rates for customers.
“Our customer rates will not go up because of this transaction. In fact, they’re gonna see a probably $30 to $40 million of cost reduction beginning of 2026 through 2029 each year,” Hines said.
Colstrip Units 1 and 2 were retired in 2020. Black said Avista owns 15% of Colstrip Units 3 and 4, but the energy from those units goes back to Avista’s customers in Washington and Idaho. The state of Washington has a law that mandates coal-free power generation by the end of 2025, so Avista was likely to exit Colstrip.
Black said that when demand for energy is high and there is little wind generation, giving the example of when the temperature dropped in late December, the state has to go to the market to buy energy. She said it is typically sourced from out of state and can be costly.
A Northwestern press release said that 41% of the utility’s peak Montana energy load was met with market purchases.
“The difference will be when we have it, it will be dedicated to serve our customers here,” Black said.
“Obviously not everyone in the state is going to be receptive to this transaction. For those of you who are supportive of it, we ask for your help in the coming months and years,” Hines said.
Colstrip emits 144 million tons of carbon dioxide and is one of the largest polluters in the U.S., as reported by E&E News. Talen Energy, another part-owner of Colstrip, filed for bankruptcy at the plant last year.
The room was mostly filled with supporters, with Vermillion of Avista Energy, commenting, “It’s not everyday utilities get standing ovations.”
Upcoming Events
april, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
more
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
Event Details
We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a
more
Event Details
We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a limited palette to create different color combinations? Are you tired of carrying around 15-20 different tubes when you paint plein air? Have you ever wanted to create a certain “mood” in a painting but failed? Do you create a lot of mud? Do you struggle to achieve color harmony? All these problems are addressed in John’s workbook in clear and concise language!
Based on the bestselling “Limited Palatte, Unlimited Color” workbook written by John Pototschnik, the workshop is run by Maggie Shane and Annie McCoy, accomplished landscape (acrylic) and plein air (oil) artists,exhibitors at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery and members of the Big Sky Artists Collective.
Each student will receive a copy of “Limited Palette, Unlimited Color” to keep and take home to continue your limited palette journey. We will show you how to use the color wheel and mix your own clean mixtures to successfully create a mood for your paintings.
Each day, we will create a different limited palette color chart and paint a version of a simple landscape using John’s directives. You will then be able to go home and paint more schemes using the book for guidance.
Workshop is open to painters (oil or acrylic) of any level although students must have some basic knowledge of the medium he or she uses. Students will be provided the book ($92 value), color wheel, value scale and canvas papers to complete the daily exercises.
Sundays, April 14, 21 and 28, 2024
Noon until 6PM.
$170.
Time
14 (Sunday) 12:00 pm - 28 (Sunday) 6:00 pm
Event Details
Come join us at Cowboy Coffee as we celebrate a fun night of drinks, games, and meeting others within the community. This event is from 6-8 and all are welcome
Event Details
Come join us at Cowboy Coffee as we celebrate a fun night of drinks, games, and meeting others within the community. This event is from 6-8 and all are welcome to come, if you don’t know who to bring come alone this is a great mixer event! This is an event hosted by Big Sky OUT as we work to provide queer safe spaces throughout the community.
Time
(Sunday) 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location
Cowboy Coffee
25 Town Center Ave. Big Sky, MT 59716