Another example of Montana losing out on energy development
ConocoPhillips and Peabody Energy (the world's largest coal company) announced this week they will collaborate on a "major commercial scale coal to gas facility" in Kentucky. The Kentucky project is projected to provide 500 high wage jobs.
What's most interesting about their joint press release was this quote from Peabody President Rick Bowen: "We appreciate the effort by Kentucky's elected officials and regulatory bodies in pulling together the balanced legislation and follow on agreements to attract investments and help us with this important decision."
During the last legislative session, legislative Democrats opposed legislation that would have made Montana more attractive to coal development, like HB 610, sponsored by Democrat Rep. Jim Keane, which would have reduced the number of lawsuits stemming from the siting process - HB 610 died on a party-line vote in the Senate with all but one Democrat voting against it.
So as other states are making strides at working with energy developers, Montana persists in talking big and getting zero results. Yet to hear Gov. Schweitzer talk, he's the nation's biggest promoter of this type of clean coal technology. When are we going to see something happen? The answer is never as long as this guy's in office.
Carter
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Reader Comments (5)
Maybe you should read Peabody's news release here: http://governor.mt.gov/news/pr.asp?ID=366
Turns out they are evaluating sites in Montana.
Uh, Lily... Did you bother to notice the date on the presser you referenced? July of 2006! Over a year ago. Or were you just hoping the readers would just assume that you were providing an honest, accurate, and relevant rebuttal?
But that's the point - they looked here, evaluated here, and chose elsewhere!
Despite all his hot air, Governor Schweitzer hasn't been able to deliver on his promises to increase energy development in THIS state.
Stay on the Yellow Brick Road, Lily. Pretty soon you'll get to meet the Wizard.
Auntie Lib, I was only pointing out that they are evaluating sites in Montana and actually they are still doing so. They own a ton of coal here. I don't really know why you have to be so mean spirited in your remarks back to me. Yes, I do like Governor Schweitzer. I happen to think he is doing a great job. That is my opinion. You are entitled to yours, you don't have to be rude.
For the record, Peapody does not have any mines in Montana.
If the Gov. is so supportive of coal/energy development why does he continue to appoint people from MEIC/the Jim Jensen crowd to important boards that deal with the permitting process at DEQ/DNRC?