NorthWestern Energy recently announced a new goal of net-zero carbon emissions by the year 2050 despite two new natural gas-fired power plants currently in the works. President and Chief Operating Officer Brian Bird explains these plants were kept in consideration when setting this goal.
Emergency Federal Funding Provided Temporary Relief For Rural Hospitals
When the coronavirus pandemic hit rural hospitals, including some in Montana, already on the brink of closing were spared by an infusion of government money. The money was a buffer, but Medicare reimbursements will likely be reduced this summer. Significant hospital closures may be avoided this year, but nursing shortages increase the risk for...
Governor Gianforte Calls For Further Domestic Oil Drilling
The Biden administration has banned all Russian energy imports from entering the United States. Governor Greg Gianforte says there’s more that should be done.
NRECA President Chris Christensen: ‘Collaboration Must Remain a Hallmark’ of Co-ops
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Continued collaboration among electric cooperatives will help all co-ops face the challenges of an uncertain future, NRECA President Chris Christensen told co-op leaders Tuesday at NRECA’s PowerXchange. “It’s that diversity of experience that allows us to work together to tackle common challenges,” the Montana rancher and f...
State Auditor Highlights Flood Risks & FLood Insurance Policies For Home Owners
As Spring approaches Insurance Commissioner Troy Downing is reminding Montanans now is the time to evaluate their flood risk because many newly purchased flood insurance policies take up to 30 days before becoming effective. A homeowner is 27 times more likely to experience a flood than a fire during a thirty-year mortgage leaving many at-risk...
Liberty County Commissioner Provides Update On Recent ARPA Projects
Wednesday, the White House held a virtual meeting with some of Montana’s rural leaders including Liberty County Commissioner Maureen Wicks to discuss how recent federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act and Infrastructure Bill were affecting their communities. During the Zoom call, Wicks detailed how they were making the most of the fund...
State Prison Reports Possible Water Hazard
Montana State Prison staff sent water samples to a state laboratory in Missoula Wednesday after being alerted by inmates Tuesday about a strange odor coming from it out of the Deer Lodge facility’s low security side. The inmates will be provided with bottled water until the sample results are returned.
Missoula Electric Co-Op Working With Forest Service On Wildfire Mitigation Projects
This year’s National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association’s annual meeting ended Wednesday in Nashville, Tennessee. On Voices of Montana, Mark Hayden was a guest. The General Manager at Missoula Electric Co-Op said the wildfire risk isn’t going away anytime soon.
New Report Details High-Income Migrators Moving To Montana
In a presentation to state legislators this week, the Montana Legislative Fiscal Division reported in 2020 and 2021 Montana saw a surge of high-income out-of-state newcomers moving from places like California, Washington and Colorado. The total incomes of new residents included a higher percentage of capital gains and higher incomes than peopl...
Montana Records Most Avalanche Deaths For Motorized Recreationists In Nearly A Decade
So far this winter three snowmobilers and one snowbiker have died in three separate avalanche incidents near Cooke City and West Yellowstone. Dave Zinn with the Gallatin Forest Avalanche Center has survival tips to those who find themselves in an avalanche.