Article published Aug 21, 2007

City of Missoula still weighing options with Electric City Power

By RICHARD ECKE

Tribune Staff Writer

Officials in Helena and Missoula have wrestled in recent weeks with whether to buy power from Electric City Power, Great Falls' utility arm.

Electric City Power currently sells to various customers electricity originating with PPL Montana. PPL owns a share of the Colstrip coal-fired power plants and owns hydroelectric dams in Cascade County. In 2012, if the Highwood power plant is built, Electric City Power would begin selling electricity created by the coal-fired plant.

In Great Falls, commissioners are scheduled to vote tonight at their regular 7 p.m. meeting at the Civic Center whether to sign a 30-year contract to buy power from the proposed coal-fired Highwood Generating Station via Electric City Power. The proposal is expected to draw criticism from plant opponents.

Buying power created by coal is the big objection raised in Missoula, according to Mayor John Engen. Engen said Monday the Missoula City Council has approved a letter of intent allowing Engen to discuss contract details with Great Falls officials.

Engen said Missoula officials will continue talking to constituents about the issue. He said the city wants to take a balanced approach to energy issues.

"We'd like to save money for taxpayers on our electric bill," Engen said. "Missoula's been supportive of public power generally."

Environmental concerns are a big part of the debate, however.

"As mayor, I'm certainly not doing cartwheels at the prospect of creating another coal plant that contributes to climate change," Engen said. Greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide released by most power plants, are blamed by many scientists for increasing the world's temperature.

Engen said Missoula's council will have final say on whether to buy electricity from Electric City Power. He said the earliest the issue would be taken up is Aug. 29 at a city Administration and Finance Committee session.

Electric City Power must sign up most of its customers by Oct. 1 under state law that partially re-regulates Montana's energy system.

City of Helena officials gave Electric City Power the cold shoulder last week.

Helena City Clerk Debbie Havens said the Great Falls power issue was not on the Helena City Commission agenda last night. At a work meeting last week, Helena commissioners tossed a series of brickbats at the proposal.

Havens said given the number of negative comments from commissioners, the issue might not be brought before the commission for a formal vote.

Great Falls fiscal officer Coleen Balzarini last week said the city has a number of good prospects for power customers. Names of signed customers will be released, but not prospective ones, officials have said.

Reach Tribune Staff Writer Richard Ecke at recke@greatfallstribune.com, or at 406-791-1467 or 800-438-6600.