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Montana Electric Company Abandons Proposed Coal Plant

Case Updates:

February 23, 2009

On February 2, Montana came one step closer to a clean energy future with Southern Montana Electric’s decision to abandon its proposed Highwood coal-fired power plant.

Sierra Club’s Move Beyond Coal campaign, in conjunction with local groups Citizens for Clean Energy and Montana Environmental Information Center and with the legal  representation of Earthjustice, mounted a powerful opposition to the violation-wrought Highwood facility.  For four years, Sierra Club and its allies have challenged SME’s proposed coal-fired power plant on grounds of its potential contribution to global warming and mercury and particulate pollution, while encouraging the company to invest in cleaner energy alternatives.  Sierra Club salutes the local residents in the Great Falls area who actively fought against this plant, and applauds the project owner's decision to pursue a more sustainable, clean energy path to supplying electricity to Montana residents.

Details and Documents:

News Articles:

SME puts coal plan on ice, swiches to gas
February 3, 2009 by Karl Puckett, Greatfallstribune.com