Central Montana Times

U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, along with Congressmen Ryan Zinke and Troy Downing of Montana, are urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reconsider energy policies established during the Biden administration. They have formally requested a two-year compliance exemption to support the continued operation of Montana’s Colstrip Power Plant.

The Montana lawmakers assert that the Biden-era policies could result in heightened compliance costs for the plant. These costs, they argue, may translate into increased rates for consumers or even lead to the plant's closure, potentially triggering blackouts throughout the state.

In their submission to the EPA, the lawmakers expressed support for a two-year Presidential Exemption for NorthWestern Energy and Talen Montana. This exemption would relate to the "National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units Review of the Residual Risk and Technology Review" (MATS Rule). They appreciate "President Trump’s Executive Orders to Power the Great American Comeback" and argue that the exemption will enable the continued operation of the Colstrip Steam Electric Station, which they describe as a critical power source for Montana.

The lawmakers have previously criticized the Biden administration’s EPA for its approach to the MATS Rule, claiming it oversteps authority and endangers grid reliability. They noted that "42% of the burden of the MATS Rule would fall on Colstrip," suggesting that the rule targets this particular plant.

"We request that you approve this two-year exemption request to prevent negative impacts on Montana’s electric reliability and the increased costs for consumers," they concluded in their letter.

Matt Lloyd and Rachel Dumke provided contact information for further inquiries.