Judith Gap News

California Quail / Photo by Lee Karney Bird news A paper in Science may make our field guides obsolete.

It's an ill wind ... As Britain gears up for a revolution in sustainable energy, where are the thousands of wind turbines going to come from to help the government meet its targets? In Birmingham, the Business ...

HARLOWTON - There was one thing missing at the second annual Festival of the Wind in Harlowton - the wind, which was noticeably absent as the mercury rose to 84 degrees Saturday afternoon.

There's a lot of talk around the water cooler about "tipping points" these days, especially as they relate to wobbling climate.

The list of possible private energy developments in Montana is long and getting longer, including: Montgomery Electric's gas-fired generating plant north of Great Falls; NaturEner's 140-turbine wind park ...

Fergus Electric Cooperative, with offices in Lewistown and Roundup, will have its annual meeting Thursday at the Fergus County Trade Center in Lewistown.

Northcentral Montanans have gone through a fairly steep learning curve in the world of electricity generation in the past few years.

ETHRIDGE - The state's largest wind farm, under construction immediately south of this Hi-Line town, will be finished in five months, officials with the San Francisco-based company said at the site Wednesday.

“Our current representative on the PSC has fought against Judith Gap every step of the way. Yet the facts have poked holes in every one of his arguments.”

Billings Mayor Ron Tussing has filed for the Public Service Commission, District 2. Here is his edited statement. via The Billings Outpost

In announcing his bid for re-election, Public Service Commissioner Brad Molnar said that he has kept the last of his campaign promises made during his successful 2004 campaign. via The Billings Outpost

Operators of the Judith Gap wind power project say they'll offer electricity from a proposed expansion to other Montana buyers, after they were turned down by the state's largest utility. via KRTV

“The Juan L. Sanchez ensemble embodies the real essence of the Nueva Cancion and the new folk movement of today...”

Latin folk music, incorporating rhythmic and melodic elements of contemporary urban jazz, Brazilian and Middle Eastern music, wraps up the Judith Arts Society's 2007-2008 Performing Arts Series season. via Great Falls Tribune

HELENA - The owner of the wind farm near Judith Gap is considering an expansion and is asking NorthWestern Energy if they're interested in buying more power. via Great Falls Tribune

“Costs of backing alternative power rising fast.”

Despite three years of on-the-job training , Public Service Commissioner Brad Molnar still does not "get" utility regulation or the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act . via The Billings Outpost

“I don't think the (power) board is up to the task”

Rising costs and attempts to obtain financing are challenges for the proposed coal-fired Highwood Generating Station, an official acknowledged Monday. via Great Falls Tribune

From The K-B-L-G News Center... SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF AROUND A FOOT WILL BE POSSIBLE IN THE HIGHER TERRAIN, AND THREE-TO-SIX INCHES WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE IN THE JUDITH GAP AREA. via KBLG-AM Billings

“I think this is the least we can do to help that project along”

Cascade County commissioners on Tuesday approved a tax break for United Material's Horseshoe Bend wind facility, the state's second largest wind farm located outside of Great Falls. via Great Falls Tribune

NORTHWEST WINDS WILL DEVELOP ACROSS MUCH OF THE PLAINS TODAY IN THE WAKE OF A COLD FRONT. via KBLG-AM Billings

“With mandates, utilities are forced to integrate wind into their core energy plan. What we've seen over the past 25 years is the mainstreaming of wind.”

The available evidence suggests that district RPSs at current levels won't short-circuit electricity supplies or send rates soaring, although some increases are likely. via Power Engineering

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAYS THAT IT WILL BRING HEAVY SNOW TO THE CRAZY, BEARTOOTH, AND BIG HORN MOUNTAINS, WITH TOTAL ACCUMULATIONS RANGING FROM 8-TO-16 INCHES. via KBLG-AM Billings