Montana
Overview
For half a century, Montana has played a large role in exporting electricity across the West with its diverse generation and critical transmission corridors. That system has served Montana and the region well, but is facing increasing pressure from aging infrastructure and rising energy demand. As industry and the state chart a path forward, Montana is poised to enhance its role as an energy hub and tap into the most abundant energy resources in the West.
A Legacy of Powering the Region
Since the 1970s, Montana has been a major energy exporter, building coal mines, power plants, and transmission lines. This infrastructure created decades of jobs and became an important revenue source for the state's economy. The age of and pollution created by the coal plants along with efficient markets and cheaper sources of generation are making coal less competitive while also creating political debate about the best path forward for a system that still needs to serve the state well.
The Largest Wind Resource in the West
Montana holds the largest developable wind resource of any state in the West. Modernized infrastructure can turn that resource into a lasting source of jobs, tax revenue, and economic growth. Developers and businesses across the region already see the potential and want to build both their industries and new generation in the state. The resources and the technology are ready, but what's needed is the infrastructure and policy to unlock it.
RNW's Role
RNW advocates for the infrastructure investment and policies required to capture these opportunities and help create a thriving, durable energy economy. We engage in deep education and coalition building to foster constructive conversation and reach balanced solutions.