HELENA — A new report by the Bonneville Power Administration and the state of Montana is promoting the state’s renewable energy potential.
The report released last month says Montana could now transmit 360 megawatts of renewable energy to the Northwest, and more capacity will be available after the partial shutdown of the Colstrip power plant by 2022.
Montana Public Radio reports the study resulted from a Helena meeting in December between energy developers and utilities from across the Northwest to discuss the growing demand for less carbon-emitting power.
Jeff Fox of Renewables Northwest says the report shows a significant amount of wind energy could be delivered today.
Brian Fadie of the Montana Environmental Information Center says the report shows that Colstrip’s power can be replaced with renewable electricity with minimal cost or technical modifications.