Article published Oct 26, 2007

Coal plant fuels candidates' debate

By RICHARD ECKE

Tribune Staff Writer

They talked about cats, one-way streets and sewage, but many candidates for Great Falls City Commission and mayor kept coming back to one issue.

That's the proposed Highwood Generating Station, a coal-fired power plant that might come online east of Great Falls in 2012.

"This is the biggest thing that has hit this city for years and years," said Ed McKnight, a candidate for mayor.

At the Civic Center on Thursday night, a crowd of more than 50 people at a city commissioners' forum, and more than 60 at a mayoral forum, offered applause for both sides of the power plant debate. That issue appeared to generate the most clapping and strong statements from the candidates. They didn't alter their stances, but they did provide additional reasoning about why they support or oppose the proposed plant.

Three of the city's five seats are up for grabs in the Nov. 6 general city election — mayor and two commissioner slots.

Commissioner candidate and City Planning Board member Bill Bronson, who supports the plant, urged voters to select candidates who have experience in government, decrying candidates "who are strictly negative" and only offer criticism. He said the Highwood plant would be "a far better operation" than the Colstrip plants in southeastern Montana.

"I have yet to hear a constructive solution to our energy problems (from plant critics)," Bronson said.

McKnight has criticized city commissioners for failing "so miserably" in launching its Electric City Power energy arm and agreeing to own a portion of the controversial power plant. McKnight said Montana is a net supporter of energy, and he called the notion of a state energy crisis a hoax.

On the other hand, Mayor Dona Stebbins called the power plant issue an opportunity to "make Central Montana an industry leader in energy development," and to increase the county and city tax base by $9 million per year. She said the plant would be environmentally responsible and provide a reliable source of electricity for years to come.

The other incumbent running, Commissioner Diane Jovick-Kuntz, reaffirmed her support for the power plant project, saying the it would offer reliable, stable power. Jovick-Kuntz noted NorthWestern Energy canceled the city's power contract unilaterally several years ago, prompting the city to set out to obtain power independently.

Another commission candidate, Elna Hensley, praised the city for "taking a leadership role" in trying to moderate its energy bills.

"I'm not willing to turn off all my electrical outlets," Hensley said. She added that the Highwood Generating Station project "has passed the test" so far and "makes good sense."

Commission candidate Stuart Lewin said he and fellow candidate Mary Jolley have criticized aspects of the power plant project, while Jovick-Kuntz, Bronson and Hensley support the Highwood plans.

"Vote those people out and vote us in," Lewin said bluntly. "The seminal issue here is the coal plant." Lewin said he hoped voters would cast their ballots to preserve the area's clean air and water.

Jolley said she wouldn't have run for office if the City Commission had allowed the public to vote on the city's involvement in the plant. About 15 percent of the project, estimated to cost $720 million, would be owned by the city of Great Falls. Jolley also said she is not an environmentalist, but she believes the plant's developer has underplayed the mild to moderate harm it would do to the environment.

Mayoral candidate Susan Kahn said she objects to the process the city has followed in getting involved with the coal plant. She also wants to preserve nature as it is in Great Falls.

"Here's where they can find the old Montana, like it used to be," Kahn said. "That's what I want to preserve."

Mayoral candidate Larry H. Steele said he strongly supports the coal plant but firmly opposes the city's involvement in it.

"I believe it would bring great jobs to Great Falls," Steele said, adding it will help "keep the kids here" by providing good jobs with benefits. He argued the city should stay out of an area usually occupied by private enterprise.

Commissioner candidates were asked whether they would support the proposed power plant if the Department of Energy approved money to make the facility a demonstration plant for carbon capture and sequestration.

Hensley said yes, adding she expects the developers to "do all that they possibly can" to safeguard the community.

"Yes, I think we need to move forward," Jovick-Kuntz said. Bronson said yes as well.

Lewin said he doubted capturing carbon dioxide, then storing or selling it, is possible.

Jolley said the question was "sort of like asking if pigs could fly. I don't think it's going to happen."

Lewin offered an emotional appeal to voters. "We can do something about it," he said. "We can stop this plant. We can protect the health of our citizens."

Bronson offered a different view.

"Like it or not, we're going to have to rely on coal," he said.

If you're keeping tabs, incumbents Stebbins and Jovick-Kuntz support the plant, along with Bronson and Hensley.

The other candidates — Jolley, Lewin, McKnight and Kahn —have problems with the project.

The general election is Nov. 6 and all Great Falls voters not voting by absentee will cast their ballots at a single polling place in Exhibition Hall at Montana ExpoPark.