Talen Energy’s Debt Brings Colstrip’s Future Into Question

Talen Energy, which operates Colstrip Power Plant, is $4 billion in debt and facing negotiations with creditors as its bonds are downgraded to a substantial fundamental credit risk. Bloomberg charts Talen’s bonds on a steep decline since May. This week, Fitch Ratings downgraded the long-term issuer default rating for Talen Energy Supply to CCC+ indicating that default is a real possibility. What the company’s financial troubles mean for its Colstrip future remains to be seen. Back taxes on the plant total $4.3 million owed to the City of Hardin and Big Horn County.