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Montana Dakota Utilities' 20 Year Energy Plan Leans Less On Coal

Bluish black coal
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The 20 year energy plan for Montana’s second largest electric company, Montana-Dakota Utilities, includes closure at its only Montana-based coal-fired power plant.

Regulators with the Montana Public Service Commission Tuesday okayed the Montana-Dakota Utilities’ integrated resource plan.

MDU last year announced closures at its Lewis & Clark Station in Sidney, Montana and Heskett Station in North Dakota. MDU cites the age of the plants, rising coal costs and cheaper alternatives like developing natural gas resources and buying market power.

The 44-megawatt Lewis and Clark plant is scheduled to shutter next March after the winter chill. It employs nearly 30 people.

This is one of a slew of coal closures seen across the United States. Two of the Colstrip coal-fired power plant’s four units shuttered earlier this year.

MDU’s more-than 100,000 gas and electric customers in Montana are located in the eastern part of the state. It also serves customers in North and South Dakota and Wyoming.

Kayla writes about energy policy, the oil and gas industry and new electricity developments.