Article published Jan 16, 2008

Power plant decision tabled after early-morning ending

Following an 11½-hour meeting meeting Tuesday, Cascade County commissioners voted 3-0 to table a proposed rezoning for property east of Great Falls where a controversial coal-fired power plant is planned.

The public hearing began at 3 p.m. Tuesday and concluded at 2:30 a.m. Wednesday. It was a record.

“We don’t believe we’ve had a hearing go that long on any topic,” Planning Director Brian Clifton said.

Commissioners heard a presentation on the power plant, then took testimony from more than 90 supporters and opponents of the facility. Each of the speakers was given up to seven minutes to state their case.

The final person to testify spoke at 1:45 a.m., Clifton said.

For next 45 minutes, commissioners asked several questions before voting to table the request so they could digest new information received during the meeting.

Commissioners are expected to discuss the rezoning again at their regularly scheduled meeting this coming Tuesday, Clifton said.

The Urquhart family is seeking a zone change to heavy industrial. If it’s approved, Southern Montana Electric Generation and Transmission hopes to construct a 250-megawatt coal-fired power plant.

Commissioner Peggy Beltrone, in her third six-year term, said she’s never seen an issue garner so much attention.

“There’s nothing that’s been as divisive or as consuming in the public mind as this zoning decision,” she said.