Neil J. Taylor

3417 4^th Ave South

Great Falls, MT 59405

August 28, 2006

Kathleen Johnson, MEPA Coordinator

Re: SME’s Highwood Generating Station EIS

Montana Department of Environmental Quality

P.O. Box 200901

Helena, MT 59620-0901

Dear Ms Johnson,

I am responding to the draft EIS for Southern Montana Electric Generation and Transmission Cooperative’s Highwood Generation Station Unit #1.

This report does not adequately address and or study in any depth whatsoever the various alternatives to burning coal. Wind for example is presently used in our area very successfully by other agencies and utilities. The less polluting IGCC coal gasification process has not been adequately researched either. This technology is currently used by other utilities here in the US and around the world. To state that it is still experimental is just not true as the US Department of Energy recommends and has even funded such facilities.

Great Falls is known around the country as the windiest little city in the nation. Why is it that others from out of state (Idaho Power) can capitalize on this asset while we fail to see its benefit in our Great Falls area?

Great Falls does not need this power and would get by quite nicely with just the proposed auxiliary wind turbines.

Coal power generators should be located where the coal is and be of the highest technology available (presently IGCC) to eliminate pollution. Like wise wind generators should be located where the wind blows and be interconnected to this system.

Your office is charged with protecting our environment and health from pollution. Please do your job wisely and choose the best option, which is not to grant a permit for another coal burning plant in our state.

Sincerely,

Neil J. Taylor

Great Falls resident