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New federal pollution standards weigh on Montana utility rate increases
New federal pollution standards weigh on Montana utility rate increases
By TOM LUTEY tlutey@billingsgazette.com 8 hrs ago
The electric bills of Eastern Montanans could rise $178 a year to improve Montana Dakota Utilities’ coal-fired power plants. But, MDU is being asked whether the plan makes sense with new pollution regulations coming.
At issue is whether Montana customers of MDU should pay for upgrades to coal-fired power plants that could be shut down in a few years under the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan.
The Clean Power Plan is the EPA’s 15-year road map for cutting carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Beginning in 2020, the nation’s existing power plants will have to begin cutting carbon dioxide pollution. Some power plants will be upgraded with new pollution controls, while others beyond affordable improvement will be shuttered.
States are required to submit compliance plans to the EPA by September. Extensions may be granted, but federal plans could also be issued in states were plans aren’t submitted. ... Montana’s Public Service Commission will meet in Glendive on Feb. 9 to decide whether to approve the increase, which would be a 21 percent rate hike for MDU’s 26,000 electricity customers in Montana. None of the MDU’s natural gas customers would be affected.
By TOM LUTEY tlutey@billingsgazette.com 8 hrs ago
The electric bills of Eastern Montanans could rise $178 a year to improve Montana Dakota Utilities’ coal-fired power plants. But, MDU is being asked whether the plan makes sense with new pollution regulations coming.
At issue is whether Montana customers of MDU should pay for upgrades to coal-fired power plants that could be shut down in a few years under the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan.
The Clean Power Plan is the EPA’s 15-year road map for cutting carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Beginning in 2020, the nation’s existing power plants will have to begin cutting carbon dioxide pollution. Some power plants will be upgraded with new pollution controls, while others beyond affordable improvement will be shuttered.
States are required to submit compliance plans to the EPA by September. Extensions may be granted, but federal plans could also be issued in states were plans aren’t submitted. ... Montana’s Public Service Commission will meet in Glendive on Feb. 9 to decide whether to approve the increase, which would be a 21 percent rate hike for MDU’s 26,000 electricity customers in Montana. None of the MDU’s natural gas customers would be affected.
