Bill would build power plant on Montana's Gibson Reservoir

[TexasTowelie]

A small power plant proposed for Gibson Reservoir 70 miles west of Great Falls is getting attention from Montana’s congressional delegation.

Sens. Steve Daines and Jon Tester, along with Rep. Matt Rosendale, introduced a bill Monday to authorize The Department of Interior to build a power plant at the mountain reservoir. Gibson Dam was plumbed for generation at the recommendation of the now defunct Montana Power Co. when the dam built in 1926, but a generator was never added.

The reservoir is part Sun River Project, which provides irrigation water to Cascade, Lewis and Clark and Teton counties and is in need of repair, according to a report by the dam’s main stakeholder, Greenfields Irrigation District.

Greenfields has worked for years to get the generation approved and built. The district would liked to sell the power to NorthWestern Energy and use the profits for maintenance and repairs on Sun River Project. Greenfields estimates it could gross more than $2 million a year selling Gibson Dam electricity.

Read more: https://ravallirepublic.com/news/state-and-regional/bill-would-build-power-plant-on-montanas-gibson-reservoir/article_72d2fd06-a62a-50ca-b14d-b13a05faa03a.html

[mahatmakanejeeves]

1. Several months ago, I think you had a post about a hydroelectric facility in Montana

that was owned by a tribe. I can't recall any more details than that.

Is this a different facility? It must be, because that one was generating electricity.

Happy New Year.

[TexasTowelie]

2. I don't recall posting such a thread, but I can't rely on memory as much as I used to.

It does sound like a different facility based upon the information in the article.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

3. Might have been someone else, but you're all over the place, so it would not have

surprised me. Could have been in Environment & Energy. If I can spare a few minutes from "work," I'll see if I can dig it up.

Thanks.