🏔️ Montana Energy Profile Coal Transition State Historic Climate Ruling
Flathead, Clark Fork
(Colstrip plant)
Northern Great Plains
(Peaking)
Crow / PRB access
to Pacific Northwest
Montana Generation Mix (2023)
Generation Trend (TWh)
Colstrip Units — Retirement Timeline
Colstrip Ownership (by capacity, %)
Colstrip — Montana's Coal Legacy
Colstrip is one of the largest coal-fired power plants west of the Mississippi. Located in Rosebud County on the Crow Nation's traditional lands near the Powder River Basin, Colstrip has operated since 1975. Its fate is central to Montana's energy future, Crow tribal sovereignty, and the state's fiscal health.
| Unit | Capacity | Online | Retirement Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | 307 MW | 1975 | Retired 2020 (Puget Sound Energy) |
| Unit 2 | 307 MW | 1976 | Retired 2020 (Puget Sound Energy) |
| Unit 3 | 740 MW | 1984 | Operating; Talen Energy seeking buyers |
| Unit 4 | 740 MW | 1986 | Operating; retirement debate ongoing |
Crow Nation perspective: The Crow (Apsáalooke) people have large coal reserves and view coal as an economic right — a position supported by tribal sovereignty. The Crow have repeatedly sought to export coal to Asia via Pacific Coast terminals, but environmental opposition has blocked all proposed export terminals.
Montana Hydro System
Montana's hydro system is anchored by the Flathead River cascades in the northwest and the Missouri River headwaters in the south. The Flathead system (Kerr, Hungry Horse, Thompson Falls) provides flexible peaking power marketed by NorthWestern Energy and PPL Montana.
| Dam | River | Capacity | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hungry Horse | Flathead | 428 MW | Bureau of Reclamation |
| Kerr Dam (now Salish Kootenai) | Flathead | 201 MW | Salish & Kootenai Tribes (since 2015) |
| Bighorn Canyon | Bighorn/Yellowtail | 250 MW | Bureau of Reclamation |
| Thompson Falls | Clark Fork | 81 MW | PPL Montana / NorthWestern |
| Canyon Ferry | Missouri | 50 MW | Bureau of Reclamation |
Held v. Montana (2023) — Historic Youth Climate Victory
In August 2023, Judge Kathy Seeley of the Montana First Judicial District Court ruled in favor of 16 young plaintiffs in Held v. State of Montana — the first successful US constitutional climate trial. The court found that Montana's energy policy law violated the Montana Constitution's right to a "clean and healthful environment."
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Plaintiffs | 16 youth aged 5–22 at filing; represented by Our Children's Trust |
| Constitutional basis | Montana Constitution Art. II §3: "The state and each person shall maintain and improve a clean and healthful environment" |
| Ruling | Montana's Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) ban on climate consideration in permitting was unconstitutional |
| Impact | State must now consider GHG emissions in energy project reviews; cannot prohibit climate analysis |
| Appeal status | State of Montana appealed; Montana Supreme Court affirmed (Dec 2024) |
National significance: Held v. Montana is the first case in US history where a court found that government fossil fuel policy violated constitutional rights of young people. It has spurred similar cases in other states (Hawaii) and influenced global climate litigation strategy.
Wind & Solar Capacity (GW)
Wind Resource — NorthWestern Montana
Montana Wind & Renewable Potential
Montana has enormous wind potential, particularly in the Hi-Line (northern) and southeastern plains regions. Estimates of 120–150 GW of wind potential — far exceeding state consumption (~17 TWh/yr). The binding constraint is transmission: Montana's sparse grid limits export capacity, and new interstate lines face long permitting timelines.
Economic Profile
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GDP | ~$65B | 48th in US; ranching, mining, tourism |
| Coal mining jobs | ~3,000 | Colstrip + Crow Nation mines; high wages ($80–100K) |
| Tourism GDP contribution | ~$5B | Glacier NP, Yellowstone access; climate-sensitive |
| Electricity cost | ~11 c/kWh | Moderate; cheap hydro offsets coal operating costs |
| Wind energy property tax | ~$2M/yr state | Growing as capacity expands |