Rehberg backs coal plant plan

By The Standard News Services - 05/31/2006

Butte-Silver Bow’s exploration into an coal-based electricity generation project has some support from U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont.

The politician is lending, through a Department of Energy resource at his disposal, expertise to Butte.

“He can be Paul (Babb’s) contact at the Department of Energy,” Rehberg said of Bob Wright, a congressional fellow with the DOE.

Rehberg announced his support for Butte’s project at a brainstorming session Tuesday at MSE that drew company, federal and local officials together on the topic of coal-based energy generation.

Last week, county officials announced a feasibility study that will explore the possibilities of an electrical generation plant in the Tax Increment Financing Industrial District.

Having any support from federal officials is a boon to the project, Chief Executive Paul Babb said.

“They’re taking an interest in energy,” he said. “They’ve seen what we’re doing in Butte-Silver Bow, and Bob Wright is there to lend his expertise.” The connections formed between MSE, local and federal officials also will be helpful to the project, which is in its earliest phases, Babb said.

— Montana Standard staff