3754 Castle Rock Drive Round Rock, Texas 78681

July 22, 2006

Kathleen Johnson

Department of Environmental Quality

Director’s Office

PO Box 200901

Helena, MT 59620-0901

re: proposed coal-fired plant in Great Falls, MT

Dear Ms. Johnson:

I am a native of Great Falls, Montana. I currently reside in the suburbs of Austin, Texas, where I work as a certified mechanical engineer for a high tech company. While recently vacationing in my hometown, I was dismayed to learn that Great Falls is considering the construction of a 250 MW coal-fired electric plant.

Even in oil-rich Texas, Austin favors solar and wind power and conservation over fossil fuels. Our City Hall derives some of its energy from solar panels, and our “green building program” is nationally recognized. Austin’s economy is booming, and because people value our clean environment we have been able to attract many nonpolluting entrepreneurial businesses. With its beautiful setting, clean air, numerous recreational opportunities and educated populace, Great Falls is well positioned to do the same.

The residents of Austin stopped a 500 MW coal plant from being built, and Austin Mayor Will Wynn voluntarily signed on to the Kyoto protocol to limit greenhouse gases.

Please include the enclosed pages from recent articles from Time and Sierra magazines about Austin in the draft environmental impact statement for the Highwood Generating Station, since these articles show it is possible to have both a clean environment and a successful economy.

Sincerely,

Scott T. McBroom

encl: Time magazine, April 3, 2006, p. 49

Sierra magazine, July-Aug. 2006, p. 39