HELENA — Gov. Steve Bullock has appointed lawmakers, utility representatives, regulators and environmental interests to his interim clean power plan advisory council.
The 27-member council is charged with helping to craft Montana’s response to new federal rules meant to reduce pollution from power plants blamed in climate change. The state is also challenging the new requirements.
Bullock announced the creation of the council in November, saying he believes Montanans can find a compromise that includes using coal to generate power and maintaining those related jobs, while protecting the environment.
Council members appointed Tuesday include Sens. Duane Ankney of Colstrip, Jim Keane of Butte and Mike Phillips of Bozeman; along with representatives of Northwestern Energy, MDU Resources, Cloud Peak Energy as well as wind energy interests, energy consultants and current and former members of the Public Service Commission.