Energy

Federal land managers are updating a program that helps streamline development of large solar energy facilities on public lands.

Montana's largest utility announced this week it will acquire 222 megawatts of the Colstrip coal-fired power plant from Washington-based Avista Utilities.

The owners of the Colstrip coal-fired power plant last week submitted a study to the state analyzing what it would cost to provide the nearby community with drinking water if the plant closes.

Scientists took a dozen research flights over major U.S. oil and gas fields to sample flare emissions. They found more methane than was supposed to be there.

Bob Rowe is retiring after 14 years with Montana's largest electric utility.

The South Dakota and Nebraska subsidiary will become NorthWestern Energy Prairies Corporation, and the Montana subsidiary will keep the name NorthWestern Corporation. Both will fall under a new holding company, NorthWestern Energy Group.

Montana is getting $25 million to cap more than 250 orphaned wells — ones left behind in the years before regulation required companies to restore land after drilling it.

Montana electric cooperatives say insurance liability rates are increasing due to wildfire risk.

Gas prices in Montana are falling like in other parts of the country, but a gallon of gas and diesel are both more than 20 cents higher than the national average. Tourists in the state are part of the reason gas prices remain at historical highs.

The city will install EV chargers at two Town Pump stations later this year, bringing the total number of level 2 and level 3 charging stations in Billings to 26.