Truth: Property taxes will be about $4.26 million annually, with a significant allocation earmarked for local public school funding.
Truth: If the 175-megawatt Yellowstone County Generating Station was operational from Dec. 20 to 26, 2022, NorthWestern Energy Montana customers would have avoided at least $4.7 million in energy market purchases.
Truth: The natural gas reciprocating internal combustion engine (RICE) units can ramp up quickly with multiple starts and stops daily, and can provide on-demand power, flexible capacity, baseload power and regulation services with reduced emissions.
Truth: With our neighbors in mind, the plant is designed to limit noise impact to neighboring landowners. The fans will be pointed toward the wastewater treatment plant and away from residential areas. Low-noise radiators, exhaust stack silencers and combustion air silencers will help reduce noise.
Truth: Lighting impacts are also designed to be minimal. Streetlights and other lighting for safety will be the extent of outdoor lighting. All lighting will point downward and will be dark sky friendly.
We are proud of our diverse generation fleet of hydro, wind, natural gas and coal resources. Additional 24/7 on-demand energy sources are required in order to add more renewable, variable resources – wind and solar – to keep the grid stable as we transition to an even cleaner energy future.
We have committed to net zero emission by 2050, and the Yellowstone County Generating Station plays an import role in meeting that goal. Until longer-duration, carbon-free resources are available and cost effective, we are going to need natural gas fired generation to support the variability of wind and solar generation.
At NorthWestern Energy, our goal is to provide our customers reliable energy at the lowest long-term cost. We do this through a balanced mix of safe, reliable, affordable and clean energy. Our electric portfolio is built on the carbon-free hydro system, along with wind, coal, gas and solar.
Over time, the natural gas plants and other thermal generation on our system will be used less as new cleaner, cost‑effective resources are available.The Yellowstone County Generating Station is located near the center of 33 acres east and south of NorthWestern Energy’s substation south of Laurel, which is east of the city’s wastewater treatment plant and the CHS Refinery.
The Yellowstone County Generating Station is expected to be available to provide critical always-available energy to meet the 2024 summer needs of NorthWestern Energy’s Montana customers.
NorthWestern Energy relies on market purchases to meet 40-50% of peak energy demand for our Montana customers during extreme cold and hot temperatures that impact our customers today. Additional always-available resources dedicated to our Montana customers, such as the Yellowstone County Generating Station, are critical for reliable, affordable service.
Leading environmental organizations agree natural gas generation must be part of a balanced energy mix for the foreseeable future. No other resource meets both long-term climate goals and is capable of delivering multi-day, on-demand energy needed to keep service reliable during Montana’s extreme weather.
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