energy

NorthWestern Energy has announced it will go to Montana regulators to ask for authority to raise rates for electric and natural gas customers – about two years after they filed for their last rate review.

Efforts to renovate the downtown federal building for public use is running roughly one year behind schedule, officials said Wednesday. But as the work advances, it will explore a range of grants aimed at energy efficiency.

Eric Melson writes, "By limiting speculative leasing and raising bonding and royalty rates, our rural towns will be better prepared for a uniquely Montana future, where the great outdoors is part of everyone’s life, and small businesses across the state are thriving."

Rob Thomas writes, "The BLM's oil and gas rule reflects the public's desire for a balanced approach to public lands management – one that prioritizes both economic opportunity and conserves our outdoor heritage."

An Australian-based mineral company hoping to produce lithium along the Green River in southern Utah will have to put its plans on hold for now.

The proposal, which is confined to the north for now, is designed to stabilize energy bills, according to the utility, which wants to increase its rate of return to investors from 9.5% to 10.4%.

Elaine Caton writes, "If you are at all interested, don’t let the myths and sensational news stories scare you away."

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines introduced a series of bills during the past two weeks that seek to force the restart of coal mining on federal land in the Bull Mountains and could put coal money back into the hands of the Crow Tribe as part of a revenue sharing agreement that would involve a land swap.

The Nevada Clean Energy Fund was awarded the multi-million dollar “Solar for All” grant by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to support community solar projects that benefit low-income households.

Twenty-one states are joining a push by the Biden administration to modernize America’s aging electric grid, which is under pressure from growing demand, a changing power generation mix that includes lots of wind and solar and severe weather.