Article published Sep 19, 2007

Commission OKs utility plan for proposed coal-fired plant

By RICHARD ECKE

Tribune Staff Writer

City commissioners unanimously approved a plan that would allow the city to extend utilities to the proposed Highwood Generating Station east of Great Falls.

Even Commissioner Sandy Hinz, who opposes the coal-fired power plant project, voted for the utility plan, saying it could serve as an economic development tool for the city.

Comments at the City Commission meeting Tuesday night went beyond the narrow issue of whether to extend water lines and sewer pipes as far as Salem Road.

The commission's regular meeting also followed a trend of this summer's meetings, as an increasing number of speakers dispensed with being polite.

A sometimes harsh tone prompted Tim Gregori of Billings, general manager of the cooperative that wants to build the power plant, to praise commissioners for showing "integrity and dignity" in the face of "the abuse that you've had to take." Gregori said he hoped speakers at meetings would "not use you folks as their whipping post."

The next speaker, coal plant critic Ron Gessaman, backhandedly praised commissioners for projecting city information on the wall of the commission's chambers for spectators to see during the meeting. Gessaman thanked commissioners for "finally implementing something that the public has suggested."

In the evening's tensest moments, two speakers, including Great Falls-area resident Rick Valois, virtually dared plain-clothed police officers to try to remove them from the room if they spoke longer than the allotted five minutes. Each stayed within the commission's time limit, so no confrontation took place.

More than one speaker from north of Great Falls expressed consternation that the $720 million power plant project was still under consideration.

Vicki Freyholtz, from the Hi-Line community of Gildford, called coal-fired power plants "dinosaurs" that offer "short-term jobs" but long-term effects on health. Her husband, Mert, noted opposition to the power plant from communities including Fort Benton and the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation.

"What part of 'no' don't you understand?" he asked.

Two Great Falls labor representatives said union workers support the plant project and the hundreds of construction jobs it would provide. Union official Ole Stimac said that if the plant were built, his brothers could come home to work on it.

Commission candidate Stuart Lewin restated his theme that the city is headed for disaster by supporting the coal plant.

"It does remind me a little bit of just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic," Lewin said.

On the subject of extending utilities, Kathleen Gessaman of Citizens for Clean Energy, which opposes the power plant, said she was disappointed commissioners did not discuss several amendments the group has proposed adding to the ordinance.

Gessaman said one commissioner has urged opponents to offer their suggestions before a meeting takes place, not during them. However, the amendments were ignored, she said.

Commissioners said they received the amendments, but they chose not debate the changes during the meeting, opting for the city's wording instead.

Mary Jaraczeski of Great Falls, an attorney for the plant's developer, Southern Montana Electric Generation & Transmission Cooperative, praised the commission for trying to make the ordinance "the best it can be."