tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75382582012267434662012-02-01T17:44:23.449-07:00Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.comBlogger5431100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-89182461639271118932012-01-27T22:22:00.002-07:002012-01-27T22:23:03.267-07:00

California orders hike in number of super clean cars Jan 28, 2012'California, long a national leader in cutting auto pollution, pushed the envelope further Friday as state regulators approved rules to cut greenhouse gas emissions from cars and put significantly more pollution-free vehicles on the road in coming years.The package of Air Resources Board regulations would require auto manufacturers

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-1741650897128015322012-01-26T01:25:00.002-07:002012-01-26T01:27:28.518-07:00

With all of the Keystone XL pipeline talk currently reverberating through the internet, I believe it's important to take a look at the history of pipelines in Montana as they were reported.Thankfully available here (use left column), and considering it is only a snapshot look at the subject, the 1979 May-June Montana Outdoors magazine contains an interesting look back.Title: Montana Oil and Gas

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-61839505499235653702012-01-16T07:07:00.006-07:002012-01-17T08:27:22.942-07:00

Many years have passed in Montana since an article has appeared like yesterday's front page piece in the Great Falls Tribune.The print-only article, titled "Wind farms face raptor blowback" comes just days after a flurry of pro-wind farm, pro-transmission line press releases, news, and opinion pieces touting the success of the MATL transmission line lawsuit and much delayed start of construction

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-21346997099609747882012-01-12T23:45:00.001-07:002012-01-12T23:48:16.132-07:00

To most Americans, the word Holden may simply elicit a raised eyebrow with a possible Texas card game response.Simply put, Holden is to Australia as Chevy is to America.Sitting around the garage chatting up cars talking Holdens and kilowatts is like doing the same for Chevys and horsepower here in America.Holden became part of General Motors in 1931, now GM Holden Limited, and is struggling

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-17010569741512995002012-01-11T10:14:00.005-07:002012-01-11T16:49:23.300-07:00

A small victory for the Canadian owned Enbridge, Inc. yesterday in the announcement by the media regarding construction and financing of the Rim Rock wind farm in northwestern Montana needing all the help it can get.Enbridge, is the company that took over the Montana Alberta Tie Limited (MATL) transmission line that will eventually stretch from Great Falls into Canada. The transmission line is

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-86176111959288844902012-01-08T13:11:00.004-07:002012-01-08T13:12:00.417-07:00

Great Falls Tribune reporter Thomas Kotynski wrote an article in 1977 about the people and organizations that influence the Governor.Montana Governor Thomas Lee Judge, who served two terms from 1973 through January 5, 1981, was the focus of the article and at the time his Lieutenant Governor was Ted Schwinden.Mr. Kotynski listed ten people and organizations that he believed had the most influence

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-76581314431741838812011-12-27T08:59:00.004-07:002012-01-12T23:19:40.654-07:00

While watching and waiting for the eminent domain lawsuit decision by Montana Sixth Judicial District Court Judge Nels Swandal concerning the Rim Rock wind farm required MATL transmission line, two additional related news items have emerged with little U.S. press coverage.*** Update at end of post ***First, the Alberta Utilities Commission released a ruling on December 21, 2011 extending MATL's

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-24066563178117517462011-12-21T10:28:00.006-07:002011-12-27T08:07:23.532-07:00

*** Update 12/22/11 11PM ***The AP reports on today's MATL lawsuit activities in Livingston ...Judge asks for quick action in power line case Dec 23, 2011'A judge hearing disputes Thursday between landowners and the Montana-Alberta Tie Line project is asking for quick action from each side in a case that has long stalled the project.The power line running from the Great Falls area to Canada has

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-1730290541208422322011-12-15T23:30:00.000-07:002011-12-15T23:30:24.393-07:00

Now I'm not trying to pick on my Australian friends with this, but maybe just a tad more money should be spent on healthcare instead of carbon.

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-76846969721569842672011-12-13T23:37:00.005-07:002011-12-28T00:24:07.160-07:00

Fresh off last week's visit to the House Agriculture Committee, former New Jersey Governor and Senator Jon Corzine testified today in Washington before the Senate Committee on Agriculture.MF's Corzine said to know of customer fund misuse Dec 13, 2011'The regulatory arm of CME Group has turned over interviews to the Justice Department that allege former MF Global chief Jon Corzine knew that the

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-12754036323479725282011-12-12T23:30:00.004-07:002011-12-12T23:33:28.008-07:00

A New York Times article spread across the front page of Montana's Capital City newspaper today reports "researchers in many different fields" targeting American West dust.Which brings me to a lengthy opinion piece by Montana Public Service Commission Chairman Travis Kavulla discussing federal energy regulations, finishing strong ...'If the EPA is going to kill off the [coal] industry, then it

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-86545333395927887182011-12-06T08:58:00.004-07:002011-12-12T22:15:24.074-07:00

From The Manhattan Institute ...Andrew Klavan: Wall Street On Trial

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-11344351299501306092011-12-01T23:57:00.014-07:002011-12-02T06:43:57.964-07:00

Jump starts apparently take longer than they used to ...May 3, 2007 - Tester bill would insure biofuel crops'U.S. Sen. Jon Tester said Thursday he is sponsoring legislation to provide insurance for camelina and other biofuels crops, give farmers an added incentive to grow them and reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil."This is a very important bill," the Montana Democrat said via telephone from a

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-9773282016379602822011-11-25T18:47:00.003-07:002011-11-25T21:40:28.371-07:00

In a May 2006 meeting with officials from Australian company Babcock & Brown, while discussing their plans for purchase of Northwestern Energy, it was reported Governor Schweitzer stated: "Montanans like to kick the tires before they buy something".Of course, the deal was nixed and thankfully so, some publicly questioned who international investment giant Babcock & Brown were, prior to their

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-90864896626301762022011-11-23T23:06:00.005-07:002011-11-24T21:22:39.734-07:00

Yesterday morning another five-thousand or so emails were released by someone likely resurrecting the climate community's headache caused by the two year old Climatic Research Unit email controversy (climategate).Just as the nothing-to-see-here hearings about the original climategate leak have subsided, and just prior to COP17 in Durban, these newly leaked emails could spell big trouble for the

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-22742086404886825882011-11-15T23:58:00.000-07:002011-11-15T23:59:58.261-07:00

Striking at the heart of "helping poorer counties", Reuters reports on some (few and far between reported) research into the U.N.'s long running Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) ...Bribery, collusion hinder U.N. carbon scheme: research Nov 15, 2011'The U.N.-backed carbon offset market needs an overhaul as it lacks transparency and is vulnerable to bribery and collusion that threaten efforts to

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-9344491596909016662011-11-14T07:33:00.001-07:002011-11-14T07:35:18.827-07:00

Not long ago, a question about an IPO purchase was posed to Nancy Pelosi by a 60 minutes reporter during one of her press conferences. The story related to that question is contained in this well produced report on legal corruption in Washington D.C.Although a bit long, stay tuned to the last five minutes to get the full effect ...... and from a column today, hitting a little closer to home here

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-69051423071268174592011-11-11T12:36:00.001-07:002011-11-11T12:38:22.479-07:00

Pictures from another great event here in East Helena, Montana.Thank You United States Veterans, and God Bless America.

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-7281685057070159642011-11-08T01:24:00.001-07:002011-11-09T08:20:49.865-07:00

The Western Area Power Administration (WEPA) was criticized in a U.S. Department of Energy document, dated November 2011, for their financial handling of the Montana Alberta Tie Limited (MATL) transmission line here in Montana.The fifteen page PDF Management Alert, titled Western Area Power Administration's Control and Administration of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Borrowing Authority,

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-64450003434351574062011-11-07T08:25:00.001-07:002011-11-07T08:26:17.246-07:00

I would expect this report to get some good press around Montana in the coming days ...DoD Unveils LMI-Drafted Report on Alternative Fuel Use Nov 7, 2011Report Maps Future Path to American Energy Security'The Department of Defense (DoD) has released “Opportunities for DoD Use of Alternative and Renewable Fuels: FY10 NDAA Section 334 Congressional Study”, a congressionally mandated study into the

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-61142126695983885412011-11-06T22:29:00.001-07:002011-11-06T22:30:00.280-07:00

Some calling it, "the cranky nature of wind", too much power from wind energy in the Northwest is now apparently going to be sent back out to .... water and space heaters?Taming Unruly Wind Power Nov 4, 2011'For decades, electric companies have swung into emergency mode when demand soars on blistering hot days, appealing to households to use less power. But with the rise of wind energy, utilities

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-5430859854326917932011-11-01T23:11:00.022-06:002011-12-08T10:03:40.041-07:00

Just Skip To The Important PartSpringdale wind farm in Sweet Grass County, otherwise known as the Coyote wind farm or Coyote Wind Project, has been in the planning stage for over six years.This is an important project when it comes to wind energy production in Montana, as it is one of three wind farms using state owned school trust land.Unlike Judith Gap and Martinsdale wind farms, however, it

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-82792887183263889452011-10-28T13:35:00.005-06:002011-10-28T13:46:44.575-06:00

In the much anticipated appeal decision, Jefferson County v. Department of Environmental Quality, regarding the State permitting process for the proposed Mountain States Transmission Intertie, the October 27th, 2011 released opinion by Justice Beth Baker concludes ... 'Accordingly, we reverse the District Court and remand with instructions to dismiss this action without prejudice.'The PDF opinion

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-76675585384444247742011-10-21T07:51:00.001-06:002011-10-21T07:53:58.288-06:00

Last week, I posted ...'In August and September 2011, the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) ran a Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) that would allow farmers in Montana, and parts of California and Washington, to receive subsidies to grow camelina for bio-jet fuel use.The original program signup period ran from August 8 to September 16, 2011 in hopes of signing 50,000 acres, but was extended

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-56507035776550971692011-10-18T01:11:00.008-06:002011-10-18T17:19:30.351-06:00

The Montana Rim Rock Wind Farm, of which has been discussed here a bit, is now apparently underway.Was that One-hundred-eighty-nine? Or Three-hundred-nine? I forget, it keeps changing. Maybe a real reporter can ask our Governor, he would surely know (but likely not say).Regardless, in order to get those production tax credits (in spite of the real current MATL status), one must not sit on their

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-16724046987192296162011-10-11T02:10:00.003-06:002011-10-18T00:32:28.797-06:00

Thanks to the children, highlights of some behind the scene maneuvers have come to light regarding the Montana Alberta Tie Limited transmission line ...County’s tax value drops . . . for now Oct 5, 2011 'Less than 24 hours after the Glacier County Commissioners voted to ask the State of Montana to recertify the taxable and market value of Glacier County, based on the challenge filed by the owners

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-25333047403726137162011-10-11T01:23:00.002-06:002011-10-21T07:56:02.819-06:00

In August and September 2011, the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) ran a Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) that would allow farmers in Montana, and parts of California and Washington, to receive subsidies to grow camelina for bio-jet fuel use.The original program signup period ran from August 8 to September 16, 2011 in hopes of signing 50,000 acres, but was extended until September 23rd. Terms

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-74775809068539789642011-10-01T23:52:00.002-06:002011-10-18T00:32:49.671-06:00

While waiting for the Montana Supreme Court opinion about the Jefferson County v. Department of Environmental Quality transmission line case, several items have been hitting the news in Montana regarding this yet to be built MSTI project.First, the public introduction of a third-party review process, called the MSTI Review Project, that has actually been in the works for quite some time ...MSTI

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-85882017794471563892011-09-18T20:18:00.003-06:002011-10-07T08:03:10.762-06:00

The long awaited Long Range Restoration Priorities and Fund Allocation Guidance Plan from the Upper Clark Fork River Basin (UCFRB) Trustee Restoration Council is available for public comment; comments are open until 5PM October 11, 2011.The August 29, 2011 DRAFT long range plan, approved by the Trustee Restoration Council (TRC) in an August 29, 2011 meeting, was released for public comment on

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-55757525716836615662011-09-12T23:22:00.004-06:002011-10-07T08:03:57.453-06:00

As the U.S. President presented his jobs plan today, the American Jobs Act, a different kind of plan was introduced in Australia ...It's time to act on climate: Gillard Sep 13, 2011'Prime Minister Julia Gillard has introduced to Parliament the first of 18 bills to establish the government's carbon price regime.Ms Gillard said the Parliament had been debating climate change for decades and most

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-62282958913969973002011-09-05T22:27:00.001-06:002011-09-05T22:29:49.969-06:00

Included in the Energy Series of articles in the thirty-one year old March/April 1980 10th Anniversary issue of Montana Magazine ...The Politics of Power: An Analysisby Charles S. Johnson'Just as the African colonies have struggled for their independence the past 40 years, so too has Montana. It took years, but by the 1970s Montanans could finally boast that they were no longer under the

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-27662280929637346922011-08-31T23:41:00.004-06:002011-10-03T08:26:17.393-06:00

Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman was joined by Senator Mike Johanns in opposing the Keystone XL Pipeline, but not for same environmental cause as NASA's James Hansen, Montana's own Margo Kidder, and onetime sultry actress Daryl Hannah.Nebraska governor asks Obama to nix Keystone pipeline Aug 31, 2011Montana governor supports the project'The governor of Nebraska urged U.S. President Barack Obama

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-66691890418089215982011-08-26T13:27:00.004-06:002011-09-28T08:14:25.193-06:00

The U.S. Department Of State released the Final EIS for the Keystone XL Pipeline today, as well as a schedule for Public Meetings around the country. This contentious pipeline has recently spurred arresting protests in Washington, D.C., as well as here in Montana.Project updates, as well as a link to the FEIS are currently available here.A meeting in Glendive is currently set for Tuesday

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-12799597827313082082011-08-26T10:24:00.002-06:002011-08-26T10:51:03.257-06:00

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Professor Steven Running, from The University of Montana, has been in the news recently regarding some of his earlier scientific findings ... NASA study refutes claims of drought-driven declines in plant productivity, global food security Aug 25, 2011 BU researchers find that modeling errors produced exaggerated claims'A new, comprehensive study by an international

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-72781873751109004842011-08-19T01:38:00.002-06:002011-08-19T01:51:57.066-06:00

As the name of the Calgary based Enbridge Inc. flashed far and wide across Montana newspapers and screens over the last two days, in relation to their purchase of the wind-farm-required MATL transmission line, most wouldn't recollect having seen the name. Those that read Montana blogs may possibly remember having seen the name in a guest post on a popular blog warning of the consequences of

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-17319684784271684132011-08-15T22:40:00.007-06:002011-08-25T09:59:37.531-06:00

*** Update 8/16/11 *** Tonbridge Power to be purchased by Enbridge. See here, here, here, or here. *** End update *** While waiting for the answer on the Tonbridge Power Inc. stock halt last week, and what it might mean to the Montana Alberta Tie Ltd. (MATL) transmission line here in Montana, I'll present some related material. In the first of a two part series, the New York Times reports

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-55600517113299839952011-08-10T13:08:00.005-06:002011-08-18T23:38:54.510-06:00

*** Update 8/10/11 7PM *** Canadian company Tonbridge Power, which owns Montana Alberta Tie Ltd.(MATL), issued a news release via their web site ...'Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada - Trading Halt - TONBRIDGE POWER INC NEW - TBZ 08/09/2011 Download this Press Release VANCOUVER, Aug. 9, 2011 /CNW/ - The following issues have been halted by Investment Industry Regulatory

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-42776619514468846542011-08-02T23:55:00.002-06:002011-08-03T00:31:41.627-06:00

Over 50 visitors sat listening intently in Helena this morning while oral argument was presented and the Supreme Court was given an opportunity to asked some serious questions.The Montana Department of Environmental Quality, and Northwestern Energy, filed an appeal to the Supreme Court over a District Court decision favoring Jefferson County in September of last year. The Supreme Court Case, DA

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-25356093135497604322011-07-27T23:56:00.006-06:002011-07-28T00:47:08.644-06:00

Karl Puckett does another fine job reporting an 8 year, $67M public investment in carbon capture technology ...Plan to study CO2 sequestration moving forward Jul 26, 2011'The U.S. Department of Energy has given the green light to an $85 million project to inject a million tons of carbon dioxide into northern Montana's Kevin Dome, a 700-square-mile underground geological formation shaped like an

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-58560367992675860062011-07-26T20:54:00.007-06:002011-08-19T13:06:20.104-06:00

It was just a matter of time before the government was going to announce that they would start paying some farmers to plant camelina ... UPDATE: USDA To Help Fund Planting Of Crops For Biofuel July 26, 2011'The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced plans Tuesday to help fund the planting of crops in six states that will be used exclusively for biofuels such as cellulosic ethanol. USDA

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-74482152494007326292011-07-21T23:44:00.001-06:002011-08-18T23:38:54.512-06:00

The California Public Utilities Commission(CPUC) released their Final Decision today approving the investment in the Naturener wind project. The Division of Ratepayer Advocates(DRA), and The Utility Reform Network(TURN) had the original deal scaled back by the CPUC ...'Subject to one condition designed to protect the public interest, we approve the all-party settlement which, among its terms,

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-46164082252640762842011-07-15T00:27:00.003-06:002011-08-18T23:38:54.515-06:00

*** Update July 20, 2011 ***The best news coverage coming out of Montana regarding the problems surrounding the MATL transmission line is surely from the Choteau Acantha.Last week, the newest defendants were highlighted here, and today reporter Nancy Thornton had this ...MATL facing issues on several fronts Jul 20, 2011...'MATL’s contractor, Rocky Mountain Contractors of Helena, stopped work and

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-80228713499519162882011-07-12T00:49:00.002-06:002011-07-12T01:06:02.569-06:00

I'm sure more than one round was downed at the Willow Creek Cafe & Saloon this last weekend because of the MSTI news. I have it on good authority that there were smiles all around on Saturday night.Justin Post from the Montana Standard in Butte, Montana has the reason ...BLM withdraws MSTI preference Jul 9, 2011 'A federal agency has withdrawn its preference to place the proposed Mountain States

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-24838405190397668422011-07-10T14:10:00.000-06:002011-09-12T23:05:15.825-06:00

Back in August of 2010, after her June 2010 election as the 27th Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard was quoted as saying "There will be no carbon tax under the government I lead ...In early 2011, she "qualified" her 2010 pre-poll comments ...Yes, I vowed no carbon tax - Julia Gillard Feb 27, 2011'She qualified her comments made a week before the August 2010 poll, arguing her Government

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-60918360274548917112011-06-24T00:48:00.006-06:002011-06-28T07:55:50.727-06:00

*** Updates below ***Several days ago I posted about the construction stoppage on the Canadian side of the MATL transmission line.This seemed unusual at the time and I may be wrong in thinking that the years and years of planning and permitting, the unreported bickering with landowners, the $161M stimulus loan, the windpowered support of Governor Brian Schweitzer, the Associated Press, the

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-85090912909719734972011-06-22T01:38:00.002-06:002011-06-22T01:40:39.383-06:00

Last month, the Havre Daily News ran two articles by Tim Leeds that surely should have generated some press coverage outside of Montana, let alone outside of Havre.A 24-million-gallon-a-year biodiesel plant was announced ...New biofuels plant headed for Havre May 9, 2011'A new biofuels plant may be in Havre’s near future.Montana State University-Northern Chancellor Frank Trocki said this morning

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-50713296035015125822011-06-15T08:12:00.006-06:002011-06-15T08:42:42.509-06:00

While here in Montana the MATL transmission line appears to have made it over the last hill toward a smooth sailing completion, construction of the Canadian side has been on hold for more than a week ...Contract dispute halts transmission line work June 15, 2011 'The construction of a cross-border transmission line between Canada and the United States has been halted pending the resolution of a

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-47145269680070546922011-06-14T00:32:00.001-06:002011-06-14T00:38:46.086-06:00

In mid-May, Commissioner Kavulla beat me to a blog post rightfully highlighting the story of a cutback in wind power use by the Bonneville Power Administration because of a surge in river flow where hydro electric dams are located.Reuters reports the latest development ...Wind generators to fight Bonneville policy at FERC June 13, 2011 'Frustrated owners of wind generation in the U.S. Pacific

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-26074510935599356992011-06-07T20:43:00.008-06:002011-06-07T21:21:53.772-06:00

The Montana Alberta Tie Ltd. transmission line may yet break free of the eminent domain chains because of an opinion, currently available here, thanks to the 62nd session of the Montana Legislature and their passage of HB 198.Montana Supreme Court: New law trumps eminent domain case June 7, 2011'In the latest development in the ongoing legal disputes over "eminent domain" power in Montana, the

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-51943674604301834542011-05-22T15:33:00.003-06:002011-05-24T07:43:53.849-06:00

Landowners are calling Montana House Bill 198 unconstitutional in a lawsuit filed with the same court that created its "requirement".HB 198 is the bill that altered Montana eminent domain law to allow the MATL transmission line to move forward, despite at least one landowner having been successful in stopping it at the aforementioned District Court level.The law is one that Montana's Governor

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-49440277697342985342011-05-18T12:48:00.009-06:002011-05-18T22:38:24.351-06:00

The Centralite 1929 (p. 45)'For the first time Central entered the Constitutional Oratorical Contest conducted by the Great Falls Tribune. The school was invited to compete in the contest held in Butte with other entrants from the high schools in the mining district.The Senior and Junior girls of Central entered with their usual enthusiasm and spent many hours doing research and reference work

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-78718126931681475542011-05-17T00:26:00.001-06:002011-05-17T06:50:50.913-06:00

With the insistence of Democrat Governor Brian Schweitzer, the Montana Republican held legislature pushed through a very pro-foreign-business anti-Montana-landowner bill, becoming law last week.The bill was written to specifically give Canadian owned Tonbridge Power the ability to put their MATL transmission line where they were previously blocked from doing so.jhwygirl over at 4&20 blackbirds

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-87304813536333128822011-04-22T00:22:00.001-06:002011-04-22T00:34:59.537-06:00

Montana Opticom, LLC received U.S. Department of Agriculture stimulus funds to run high speed fiber broadband services throughout a large part of the Bozeman area, reported as a $32.1 million loan and a $32 million grant.Last week, the National Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA), a cable industry trade group, released a report with three broadband stimulus project case studies. The

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-24058239099234744862011-04-19T15:42:00.021-06:002011-04-20T22:59:42.640-06:00

House Bill 198 was blasted out of committee by a Senate vote this morning and passed 2nd reading this afternoon 28 to 22.*** Update Apr 20, 2011 ***The eminent domain bill that will allow MATL to forcefully proceed with its transmission line passed final reading in the Montana Senate today and is headed up to the Governor's desk for .... amending?After listening again to the Senate floor debate

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-53818746206456602912011-04-14T01:14:00.004-06:002011-10-03T07:09:08.372-06:00

*** Click here for newer posts RE the Rim Rock Wind Farm ***Recently, I highlighted a news story about the proposed 309 MW Rim Rock wind farm being downsized to 189 MW because of a California utility's change of plans ... 'The Rim Rock wind farm will still be built, but at less than two-thirds the size, and requiring less than half as much money from SDG&E electric bills.'The power from the

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-41850850488554122312011-04-11T23:55:00.006-06:002011-08-18T23:38:54.519-06:00

-It could be a bad day when the Governor has to send a letter off to the Attorney General asking of legal opinion regarding a government shutdown.Bad news? I'm not sure at this stage. It seems an easy several hundred caring words in most papers and news outlets around Montana, and includes the next governor-elect's name prominently splashed about as well.How about the very important news today of

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-12931263654816955582011-04-06T01:28:00.003-06:002011-04-06T01:33:52.312-06:00

As the 2011 Montana legislature crawls to an end, several important issues are still unresolved. One of those issues, that was brought up by Republicans, is eminent domain(House Bill 198). Is the Montana Republican held legislature going to allow a private, foreign company to proceed in condemning Montanans' land or, should the battle be fought in the Montana Supreme Court? Having seen a so

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-81528955538811659932011-03-26T19:54:00.002-06:002011-04-06T00:34:38.177-06:00

Considering the importance of several eminent domain related bills currently making their way through the legislature, there is little news coming out about the appeal to the Montana Supreme Court by MATL LLP.Fortunately, not all news outlets are ignoring the topic. Nancy Thornton at the Choteau Acantha ...MATL files brief in appeal Mar 23, 2011 'A Canadian company building a high voltage

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-25725158208921237512011-03-20T22:49:00.003-06:002011-03-22T17:06:34.004-06:00

%%% Update 3/22/2011 No moratorium %%%-State Lawmakers Look At Wind Energy Moratorium Mar 18, 2011 'Construction of wind turbines may be coming to a halt in Idaho.State lawmakers are considering a bill that would prevent the construction of any new wind farm for the next two years.Over the last year, dozens of new wind turbines have gone up on east bench just outside Idaho Falls, but many of the

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-3551132626317854592011-03-15T23:21:00.001-06:002011-03-15T23:26:13.097-06:00

The main story coming out of Montana, during the very sad goings on in Japan, has been Federal Agents vs. Montana citizens in busts around the state.Serious stuff.Meanwhile, from The Australian ...Cannabis-derived ice cream, cake and beer given OK on health grounds Mar 16, 2011 'CANNABIS ice cream, cake and beer have been cleared on health grounds by Australia's food watchdog, despite fears the "

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-37029079838417515362011-03-14T13:50:00.003-06:002011-03-15T23:34:18.355-06:00

County may charge small wind farms Mar 11, 2011 'A wind developer on Friday argued against Cascade County imposing fees on small wind developments, but commissioners said they plan to continue studying the idea.Commissioners called a meeting to discuss what other counties charge developers to cover impacts of the projects. One such impact that could occur is wear and tear on roads during

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-58143207160182372382011-03-10T22:46:00.001-07:002011-03-10T22:50:40.501-07:00

Bullying seems to be the cause-de-jour. Just in the last three days I'm hearing it from the local level, the state level, and the federal level.Bullying identification and eradication has been simmering in liberal Australia for some time, moving from the primary and secondary classrooms to the boardroom.Workforce NSW is a New South Wales (state) government agency that is responsible for

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-71195069598476976662011-03-09T21:38:00.001-07:002011-03-09T21:41:47.252-07:00

Volume VI, No. 1 (Spring Issue 1956) of Montana Wildlife magazine has an interesting inside cover story on the wolverine ...La Carcajou 'As stories pass through the generations, man’s imagination builds upon them until minor incidents become legendary feats. Such is probably the case with Gulo, the gluttonous, squat, shaggy wolverine. French-Canadians call him Carajou.Though his ferocity and

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-64512694977259992342011-03-09T07:48:00.001-07:002011-08-31T23:12:56.458-06:00

%% 3/17/2010 see update below %%Teh Associated Press ...Wyoming Legislature fails to settle eminent domain issue Mar 8, 2011 ' [Wyoming Lawmakers] extended a moratorium banning private wind developers from using eminent domain for another two years, ....'While Montana's own eminent domain bill (HB 198) makes its way through the Senate ... Senate committee hears testimony on eminent domain bill

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-77343185271392252392011-03-07T12:15:00.001-07:002011-09-12T23:05:15.827-06:00

The Australian Prime Minister feeling the heat down under ...Record Labor low on carbon fury: Newspoll Mar 8, 2011 'Julia Gillard's carbon tax plan has reversed public support for action on global warming, damaged her leadership and delivered Labor its lowest primary support on record.'...'Since Ms Gillard announced her intention to introduce a carbon tax from July next year, overall positive

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-64662938526276890122011-03-04T07:50:00.002-07:002011-03-04T09:40:16.931-07:00

As another of the Montana Governor's tried-and-true political maneuvers hit the front pages, an old one dies a quiet death ...Sask.'s CO2 pipeline plan dead Mar 3, 2011 'A multimillion-dollar proposal to pipe carbon dioxide from Saskatchewan and store it underground in Montana is officially dead.When the $270 million project was announced almost two years ago, Premier Brad Wall and Montana Gov.

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-7391564956768515262011-02-28T22:36:00.002-07:002011-02-28T22:49:13.821-07:00

-Earlier this month, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released two draft documents concerning utility and community scale wind energy facilities ...U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Draft Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines (Or here)Draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance - U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - January 2011 (Or here)On Feb 18, 2011 the Federal Register (V 76 N 34) highlighted the plans

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-81599548186315469272011-02-26T00:14:00.000-07:002011-02-26T00:14:55.974-07:00

Rid the audio report of some fluff and you have something, yes NPR ...Tiny Water Flea Clocks In Record Number Of Genes Feb 4, 2011 'Imagine a creature that can grow its own spear and helmet when threatened by an attacker. It sounds like fiction, but it's true.'...'Daphnia are crustacea the size of a grain of rice. The transparent creatures have about 31,000 genes — the most of any animal studied

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-26006866753340784292011-02-25T01:03:00.002-07:002011-04-06T00:34:38.183-06:00

One from Wyoming ...Wyo. Senate endorses eminent domain restriction Feb 24, 2011 'House Bill 230 passed its first vote Wednesday and faces two more votes in the Senate. It has already passed the House.The bill would prevent private wind companies from condemning land to build collector lines to connect wind turbines with transmission lines until the end of June in 2013.'And one from Montana ...

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-3702103880853702202011-02-24T23:51:00.004-07:002011-02-25T00:02:24.991-07:00

A 'bi-partisan' survey you may read about, taken in five Western states including Montana.The Colorado College “State of the Rockies Project” makes available the results of the January, 2011 “Conservation in the West Survey”.News and opinions from many sources, including Paul Chesser's 'Enviro Poll: Global Warming Overblown'Perhaps my favorite bit at wyomingnews.com ... 'Some questions received

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-77312488407430951642011-02-15T00:11:00.002-07:002011-08-18T23:38:54.522-06:00

Justin Post, from The Montana Standard, stirs up a hornets nest and just now highlights a month old decision ...Shifting winds: MSTI investment in peril? Feb 13, 2011'Industry officials say a recent decision by the California Public Utilities Commission could have wide-reaching impacts on renewable energy development in Montana and throughout the West.The California commission, or CPUC, on Jan.

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-56282290972709588382011-01-30T23:50:00.000-07:002011-01-31T00:00:18.845-07:00

The current Portuguese and Spanish loan holders of Montana's largest wind farm could be selling ...Espirito Santo Sells Loans as Iberian Lenders Plan Abandon Infrastructure Jan 30, 2011 'Portuguese and Spanish banks may be forced to sell some of the $55 billion of loans they made to finance projects from highways to clean energy since 2006 as their own cost of funding makes holding the debt

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-28185614567193512882011-01-25T23:17:00.002-07:002011-01-25T23:23:02.708-07:00

One shining star in the biofuel market in Montana has been Sustainable Oils, based in Bozeman. Camelina lased jet fuel for the military has been a good part of their bread and butter of late, and except for a possible lack of actual camelina being grown to produce the quantities contracted, all seemed to be going well with their efforts.Now, a bump in the PR road, from the New York Times ...

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-65506755667610408972011-01-14T12:42:00.001-07:002011-01-14T12:43:38.060-07:00

The 24/7 news cycle and our instant access lifestyles don't mesh very well with how science really works.A study just published in Nature shows that penguins with attached research bands apparently have problems swimming and surviving, relative to non-banded penguins.This study could put into question other seemingly important studies made in the past reporting penguin losses in Antarctica due to

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-56271148307321004602011-01-06T23:39:00.004-07:002011-04-12T09:29:35.499-06:00

An interesting article appeared recently in the Montana Standard by reporter Justin Post ...Jefferson County commissioner chides Baucus over MSTI letter Dec 28, 2010'A Jefferson County commissioner on Monday sent a pointed letter to U.S. Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., questioning him on a controversial electricity transmission line proposed for the region.Commissioner Leonard Wortman sent the letter

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-75055772037502529422010-12-16T22:06:00.000-07:002010-12-16T22:07:17.567-07:00

I've noticed more and more letters in Montana newspapers regarding the introduction of power lines and wind turbine farms in Montana lately, the topic is particularly hot in some areas.Student from a class at Montana Tech in Butte, "Politics of Technical Decisions", brought the topic of the MSTI Transmission line to the front of Northwestern Energy offices in what seemed like a real demonstration

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-8937831967104792872010-12-15T23:28:00.008-07:002010-12-17T12:24:34.367-07:00

The recent back-and-forth on earmarks here in the Treasure State becomes a bit more clear after one sees how many of them have been put in the Omnibus spending bill that will be voted on before the end of this year.*** Update *** 12/17/2010 Is the Omnibus spending bill DOA? *** End Update ****** Update *** 12/17/2010 Montana Watchdog has a good article about the Montana earmarks that include

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-69254248642072695012010-12-14T07:56:00.002-07:002011-04-06T00:34:38.187-06:00

As (somewhat) reported online by the Great Falls Tribune ...Judge denies MATL use of eminent domain powers Dec 14, 2010 'A district judge in Montana ruled Monday that a Canadian developer of a high-voltage power line has no authority to condemn private property for the project.The decision, filed Monday, is a victory for landowners trying to limit the impact of the Montana Alberta Tie Line. It

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-52729550014668082582010-12-10T00:36:00.003-07:002010-12-15T13:12:08.014-07:00

Somehow, main stream news stories of government policies that allow Democrats to line their pockets are few and far between, the Republicans seem to always be portrayed and labeled as the ones in bed with big business and evil foreign companies. Some may say it is because of the cleanliness of Democratic politicians, I say fortunately, there are still some great journalists out there.-Big Texas

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-90071951707027840202010-12-07T01:22:00.004-07:002010-12-07T01:42:21.202-07:00

According to the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, Montana will be provided $2,410,000 in fiscal 2011 for sage-grouse protection efforts.These efforts include the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program, and the Wetlands Reserve Program to help farmers and ranchers continue implementing conservation practices to protect sage-grouse

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-6667545426281978892010-12-07T00:22:00.002-07:002010-12-07T00:23:53.481-07:00

Actually, it doesn't really matter if the name is stupid or not, Montana Legislators will likely take the issue up this upcoming 2011 session on whether to opt-out of moving our clocks to and fro.My Senator brought up SB 177 in the 2009 session and there's been reports of making such a decision the "people's choice" this next year through a referendum. Seriously.If you are on either side, you may

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-88786511889550137582010-12-06T23:52:00.001-07:002010-12-06T23:52:01.054-07:00

The U.K. Guardian newspaper ran a sub headline in one of their stories about the most recent WikiLeaks document release as "Embassy dispatches show America used spying, threats and promises of aid to get support for Copenhagen accord" ...WikiLeaks cables reveal how US manipulated climate accord Dec 3, 2010'Hidden behind the save-the-world rhetoric of the global climate change negotiations lies

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-48093960967967536222010-12-06T23:22:00.001-07:002010-12-06T23:22:00.369-07:00

My local paper ran a non-scientific online poll asking if their readers supported congressional Republicans in their quest to end earmarks.Today, their online opinion URL showed the poll results headline "Most say put an end to earmarks", right above yesterday's opinion piece by Montana Senator Jon Tester titled "In defense of earmarks".Interesting unintended placement given the hubbub lately on

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-37684403627146164792010-11-28T17:01:00.002-07:002010-11-28T22:26:18.780-07:00

As very much an outsider looking in, this appears to be a very sad story about one of Montana's premier log home builders.-As with many news stories written about these types of tragedies, the Government actions surrounding the private business appear to me to be somewhat downplayed ...Neville Log Homes plans bankruptcy less than year after stimulus loan Nov 26, 2010 (also here, and here) 'Less

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-74134992956784920242010-11-10T06:58:00.007-07:002011-08-25T08:48:29.858-06:00

*** Update 8/25/11 *** The sage continues. *** End Update 8/25/11 *** *** See Update Below *** As reported in some Montana newspapers yesterday, the Montana Department of Revenue is suing a slew of online travel companies for unpaid "Accommodations", Sales, and Vehicle Rental Taxes. Complaint and Demand For Jury Trial Priceline.com, Lowestfare.com, Travelweb, Cheaptickets, Orbitz, Expedia,

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-46486219717119031812010-10-18T22:34:00.003-06:002010-10-18T22:40:30.130-06:00

Western Arkansas, Invenergy vs. Ozark big-eared bat ...Big-Eared Bat Halts Wind Farm Plans Oct 18, 2010 'Plans to build wind farms in Washington County have come to a halt due to the presence of an endangered species of bat living in the project area.Invenergy, a Chicago-based company, said Ozark big-eared bats are to blame. According to environmentalists, there are only about 1,700 living Ozark

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-6860565614241463452010-10-17T23:23:00.005-06:002011-01-04T23:19:00.634-07:00

A Max Baucus Press Release on October 14, via MATR, highlighted an attempt by the Senator to bring a wind turbine manufacturing company into Montana ...'Montana's senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus secured a commitment from Xinjiang Goldwind Science and Technology Company to send its senior U.S. executives to Montana to explore opportunities for locating a wind turbine production facility in the

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-60835984929736895102010-10-05T07:29:00.001-06:002011-04-06T00:34:38.189-06:00

While the Governor of Montana evidently needs to take a side trip to Spain to meet with many important wind energy companies there to chat, I believe I'm seeing a few more rustling of the feathers back home.Governor Schweitzer: Economic and Energy Meetings in Spain and Israel Oct 1, 2010The rustling of the feathers back home comes as an increase in the number of people speaking up and internet

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-47193871060209090322010-09-29T22:30:00.001-06:002010-09-29T22:37:23.537-06:00

*_*The Trust Land Management Division of the DNRC released two PDF RFPs yesterday ...RFP: Hay Lake Wind Farm Near Cut Bank, Montana Glacier and Toole CountiesRFP: Southeast Cut Bank Wind Farm Near Cut Bank, Montana Glacier CountyThey both close October 27, 2010.-Included ... '1.3 ObjectivesDNRC’s objectives in issuing this RFP are:* To lease state trust lands for wind exploration and new

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-27700362685110613592010-09-22T00:25:00.006-06:002010-09-22T00:41:42.285-06:00

First, we have the ever-so-faint heartbeat of a renewable energy bill that just could come to life here in the U.S. Stranger things have happened. From the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources ...Making the Promise of Renewables Come True Sep 21, 2010 'Bingaman, Brownback To Introduce Renewable Electricity Standard BillA strong renewable electricity standard (RES) is an essential

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-39611446042562587952010-09-20T00:27:00.001-06:002011-09-07T19:10:46.824-06:00

Last Friday's Great Falls Tribune, front page section M, covered a pretty important event shaping the short term transmission lines and wind industry future in part of Montana. With headlines ...TransCanada drops $3 billion transmission project Sep 17, 2010Lack of interest from wind farm developers cited for decision'The $3 billion Chinook transmission project, proposed to ship thousands of

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-55723628769154420542010-09-16T23:34:00.006-06:002010-09-17T12:03:34.902-06:00

I'm not too intrigued about the "confusing and irritating of the bats" part, in this National Geographic article, but good news otherwise IMO ...Hope for Stemming Wind Energy’s Toll on Bats Sep 15, 2010Shutting down blades on warm nights may protect migrating species'Windmills—clean, quiet, simple and endlessly renewable—may be the ultimate icons of green energy. But after sundown, their whirling

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-24786583525472404162010-09-15T02:02:00.004-06:002010-09-15T02:14:38.470-06:00

An Associated Press Matt fires another shot across the bow at the online travel agencies for Governor Schweitzer ...Schweitzer Corners Travelocity Over Tax Dispute Sep 14, 2010Company says it wants to help promote state 'Gov. Brian Schweitzer publicly hammered Travelocity leaders Tuesday over a growing tax dispute — the same day the online travel reservation company announced a program aimed at

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-83262989237367544322010-09-15T00:19:00.003-06:002010-09-15T00:27:23.544-06:00

Reason.com's Ronald Bailey with an informative article out yesterday ...Wind Turbines Are Beautiful Sep 14, 2010...but a tad expensive. 'Judith Gap, Montana—Sleek modern wind turbines are beautiful. Even their low pitched whooshing is soothing. At the first stop on my crosscountry roadtrip to check out a variety of energy production facilities, I was shown around the Judith Gap Wind farm by

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-3254766364967889102010-09-07T00:54:00.003-06:002010-11-09T16:30:36.241-07:00

Last week's announcement by the Montana Governor about 'sending state revenuers after online travel booking sites', dutifully covered by one of the AP's Matts, struck me as being a bit too easy.It sounds great, right? Going after "out of state" money from "tax cheats" without raising taxes and as reported by the AP, with no apparent downfalls or additional costs ... ...'The governor said that the

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-85213964569915087612010-08-30T00:51:00.002-06:002011-04-06T00:34:38.192-06:00

Originally announced for Butte in February, reporting appears to be widespread of the upcoming September 13-14, 2010 Montana Economic Development Summit sponsored by Senator Max Baucus. From the Montana World Trade Center website (pdf) ... '“These folks are real leaders, and they are all on their way to Butte, to help boost Montana businesses,” [Senator] Baucus said. “The Economic Development

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-63410780051345066162010-08-19T23:25:00.004-06:002010-08-20T20:17:50.088-06:00

There has been quite a hubbub in State print and radio media lately regarding the perceived potential Federal land grab in Montana, which is related to one Montana Senator's attempt at transparency, and is apparently related to the upcoming September 16, 2010 BLM Director's visit to Malta.I'd be very interested in where and with who else BLM Director Abbey visits while in this beautiful state.

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-59547530422352832162010-08-16T23:49:00.001-06:002010-08-17T00:12:21.135-06:00

Passing quickly through the news headlines late last month was the death, and re-birth, of a carbon capture and storage project announced to much fanfare in May of 2009 between 'leaders of Montana and Saskatchewan'.Plans to capture 30% of a Canadian coal plant's CO2 emissions and inject it into Montana does make big news for man-made climate change believers. It's tribulations, not so

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-54377223893671340502010-08-14T15:05:00.004-06:002010-08-14T15:23:37.481-06:00

Driving twelve-thousand miles across America with his GPS logger and video cam rolling, Nick Newcomen created what could be the world's largest message ...The web site worldsbiggestwriting.com has information on the project, don't miss the drive through part of Montana spelling the E in 'Read' and the small plug for Mountain View Co-op in Conrad.h/t Wired

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7538258201226743466.post-26911846799041040742010-08-12T07:44:00.007-06:002010-08-12T14:12:11.091-06:00

Bozeman based Grasslands Renewable Energy is featured in a Forbes article that outlines a project slated for land 'East of Helena' ...Big Sky Electricity Aug 12, 2010 ...'The Grasslands plan: build a pair of lakes, one on the butte and one below, each holding 1.5 billion gallons. When the wind is blowing strong, some of the output will power an electric motor that will push water uphill. When the

Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07713848512150198469noreply@blogger.com0