Energy and Climate Change

NorthWestern Energy has selected two wind-power projects, including one near Whitehall, to help supply 75 to 100 megawatts of electricity to its Montana customers, the Tribune learned Friday. By MIKE DENNISON Tribune Capitol Bureau If…

"Wind can be a very attractive resource in a portfolio of resources," Hanson said. "I believe in a diverse supply of power. You should never put too many eggs in one basket."

"While the timber harvested in California has dropped from a high of 4,670 million board feet in 1988 to 1,603 million board feet in 2001, the state’s demand for lumber hasn’t declined: In the building boom between 1996 and 2002, housing starts increased by 52 percent. "

"If we take the plastics and the tires and the fats and the bones and we turn that into fuels, that will mean much less fossil fuel will need to be dug up out of the ground," Appel said.

NorthWestern Energy’s call for wind generation bids closed three months ago this week, and a company official said Wednesday the energy giant may be close to awarding a contract. By MARTIN J. KIDSTON – IR…

"Using methane from manure as fuel, a power plant would generate 50 megawatts of electricity. The plant would be part of a giant energy complex — Harper Lake Energy Park — that also would include a 550-acre solar power station to be built in conjunction with Solargenix Energy LLC and a pair of 400-megawatt natural gas-fired turbines. Estimated cost for the entire project: $1 billion."

"Although biodiesel fuel costs roughly a quarter more a gallon than diesel, proponents say the fuel–known as B-20–is poised to become more popular. That’s because federal tax incentives pending in Congress could knock 20 cents off the price."

As states and communities consider how to build a tech-based economy, the prospects of centering efforts around hydrogen fuel cell technology has become an increasingly appealing option. Fuel cells may have huge implications for the…

The largest private owner of coal in the United States and one of the largest coal miners in the country announced Tuesday a decision to proceed with the permitting and construction of coal-fired generating plants…

"I guess it occurred to me that there may be a way wind generators could be placed on (the state trust land)," Brown said. "That could both help to alleviate the electric power crisis and at the same time generate some money for public schools."