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Montana Politics Latest
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NW Energy proposes to buy another 185MW of Colstrip power
Montana’s dominant electric utility, NorthWestern Energy, announced early Tuesday that it intends to buy an additional 185 megawatts of coal-fired power generated by the Colstrip 4 plant.Renewable-power advocates rally against NW energy-procurement plan
Advocates for renewable power rallied Monday against NorthWestern Energy’s plan to build or acquire 800 megawatts of electricity in Montana, saying the plan favors fossil fuels over cheaper wind or solar energy.NW Energy wants new power plants – but what type will they be?
NorthWestern Energy is proposing to buy or build 750 megawatts of new power-generation for Montana customers – twice what it has now – and says it will decide what type after getting bids in a process beginning soon.Suspect in custody in connection with Bigfork bomb threat
One person has been taken into custody in connection with Monday morning’s bomb threat that prompted the evacuation of Bigfork High School.Gov. Bullock pulls the plug on his Presidential campaign
Gov. Steve Bullock pulled the plug on his long-shot presidential campaign Monday, saying it’s become clear he can’t “break through to the top tier” of Democratic candidates.GOP gov-candidate debate has few sparks or contrasts
While two of the three Republican candidates for Montana governor in 2020 took the stage for a debate here Tuesday night, the one who didn’t attend – Greg Gianforte – sparked the event’s only real conflict.Sen. Tester on Montana This Morning (video)
MT PSC rejects NW Energy’s plan to raise electric rates for rooftop solar systems
The Montana Public Service Commission Monday unanimously rejected NorthWestern Energy’s proposed change in electric rates for rooftop solar customers – a change that the solar installers said would harm the industry.Two years after media storm over Puerto Rico contract, MT power-line company still not paid
Two years after a media firestorm torpedoed Whitefish Energy’s contract to rebuild the power grid on hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico, the CEO of the Montana firm says he’d do it all again – but, he’d like to get paid for work the company did.Bullock’s prez campaign runs TV ads in Iowa – as poll numbers languish
Montana Gov. Steve Bullock is running TV ads in Iowa, the state he’s hoping will provide him a boost -- but poll indicates he's still far back in the Democratic pack.Sen. Daines lauds advancement of bill funding Land and Water Conservation Fund
A U.S. Senate committee Tuesday advanced a bill to fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund, with the support of Montana Sen. Steve Daines, who called it a possible breakthrough to achieving the long-sought goal.Donald Trump Jr. will headline Helena fundraiser for Gianforte’s 2020 gov run
U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte’s 2020 campaign for Montana governor is getting some help from the first family this month, as Donald Trump Jr. will be in Helena on Nov. 24 for a fundraiser. -
McKinnon changes her mind; will run for re-election
Montana Supreme Court Justice Laurie McKinnon, who announced five months ago she would not run for re-election for a second term, said Sunday she’s changed her mind and will be running in 2020.Montana’s new Medicaid-expansion work requirements won’t take effect Jan. 1
New work requirements for some of Montana’s 96,000 low-income residents covered by Medicaid expansion won’t be in place Jan. 1, when they become law, state health officials say.PSC chair defends description of action on NW Energy rate case
Public Service Commission Chairman Brad Johnson on Wednesday defended his initial, disputed description of an Oct. 30 PSC vote on a NorthWestern Energy electric rate increase, saying he “was not trying to hide anything from anybody.”Bullock files for N.H. presidential primary
Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, still in the Democratic presidential race despite low polling numbers, officially filed Tuesday to appear on the ballot in New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation presidential primary next February.GOP gov 2020 candidates schedule first debate – but one can't make it
The first scheduled debate among Montana’s 2020 Republican gubernatorial candidates will be in Helena in two weeks – although one of the candidates, Greg Gianforte, won’t be there.Montana Republicans assist in Trump re-election effort
Six elected Republican officials from Montana act as chairman for the committee.Tester: Impeachment being used as excuse to slow Senate business
U.S. Sen. Jon Tester said Friday the possible impeachment of President Trump shouldn’t be affecting business in the Senate – but that majority Republican leadership is still holding up many unrelated bills from reaching the floor.Democratic U.S. House candidate Rains puts spotlight on ag, rural MT
U.S. House candidate Matt Rains is a rarity in Montana politics – a rural Democrat – and says his emphasis on issues important to rural Montana would make him an appealing candidate in the general election.