Some economic development leaders said this week Montana needs the new methane-fired gas plant NorthWestern Energy built and want the Public Service Commission to greenlight its rate case.

“It’s reliable baseload like Yellowstone (the Yellowstone County Generating Station) that keeps us in business and keeps the economy moving,” said Paul Green, executive director of Big Sky Economic Development Authority.

NorthWestern Energy built the new plant, the Yellowstone County Generating Station, without preapproval by the Montana Public Service Commission, arguing it needed to move quickly to save money.