County reviews consultants for proposed coal plant near Butte

By The Standard Staff - 06/21/2006

Two groups of engineers responded to Butte-Silver Bow’s request for professional help to explore the feasibility of a coal-based power plant west of town.

The first team consists of Butte-based MSE Technology Applications, Inc. teamed with Nexant, Inc., headquartered in San Francisco. Nexant was previously a division of Bechtel Corp., according to the proposal, and MSE Project Manager Northey Tretheway is the main contact for the team. Tretheway said MSE has worked with Nextant staff on past projects.

The second proposal comes from Lost Dolphin Enterprises LLP, which includes staff from Carter & Burgess Inc., established in Texas in 1939, and Montana-based KirK Engineering & Natural Resources Inc.

The home address for former county economic development director Bill Penn was listed as Lost Dolphin’s address, but Penn said his only involvement is to pick up the county’s proposal guidelines for the partnership.

Penn also said that McHenry “Mack” Wallace, the engineer who would manage the project if Lost Dolphin is chosen, is an associate of his. Wallace is also involved in a firm called Royal Consulting, and Penn said he works with him on demand-side management projects for NorthWestern Energy.

County Economic Development Director Russ Connole said staff is still evaluating the two proposals and has no recommendation yet. On Tuesday, John Rockey from the U.S. Department of Energy sat in on a meeting to review the proposals and provide advice.

Rockey works for Bob Wright, a congressional fellow with the DOE.

U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., arranged for federal help for the county in sorting out its options.

The successful team will spearhead the process to find out whether the power plant idea is feasible for Butte-Silver Bow. Funding to hire the expert help will come from taxes collected at the Silicon Mountain Technology Park, where the plant would be located.

— Roberta Forsell Stauffer, The Montana Standard