Great Falls buying co-op's electricity | Billings Gazette

[Ediacara]

Great Falls buying co-op's electricity

By JIM GRANSBERY
Of The Gazette Staff

In a historic moment Friday, a group of rural electrical cooperatives in the state became the wholesale supplier of electricity to a Montana city.

The city of Great Falls will provide electricity to its residents, and eventually sell power to the city's public schools, the airport and its related services. "This is what deregulation was supposed to do," said John Lawton, Great Falls city manager. "It allows us to shop (for power) in the marketplace."

He was referring to the Legislature's deregulation of electrical power in 1997. It was intended to allow energy customers to buy electricity in a competitive supply market, which until now has not materialized.

This is the first step in becoming an electrical supplier, he said. It would be the first municipal power district in the state.

Lawton said the plan will be presented to the Great Falls City Council Monday. "I have kept them apprised every step of the way. This comes as no surprise to them."

More at the Billings Gazette

[havocmom]

1. Step in the right direction. Move back to what is so wonderful about

Montanans... back to a little self reilance and community working together. That is what helped tame the west.

And tell theiving corporations to cheney themselves... It's the pioneers against the robber barons all over again and we had better join forces to survive. Co-ops work. Keep it local whenever possible.