[February 2008] 

A proposed “coal-to-liquid fuels” project has been proposed for the Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls.  The $1 billion to $4 billion plant would consume approximately 20,000 tons of coal and 10 million gallons of water each day.  It would produce 20,000-30,000 barrels of fuel each day, 50-100 megawatts of electricity for sale, and 15,000 tons of carbon dioxide that would need to be piped to a storage facility as an as-yet-undetermined location.  The project would be a joint partnership of the Department of Defense (DOD) and a private developer to be selected through a “request for proposals” process.

On January 30th, 2008, DOD hosted a public meeting in Great Falls about the plant.  Numerous concerns were voiced by area residents, and a letter of opposition was presented on behalf of Montana’s environmental community.  

The next day, DOD hosted an invitation-only “industry forum,” which was attended by dozens of corporate and financial representatives, the developer of the Highwood project, and State and local officials.  This is the second time the public has been excluded from an informational session on this project (the first was late last year, when representatives of Citizens for Clean Energy were “uninvited” to a similar session).  This practice clearly violates the spirit, and perhaps also the letter, of Montana’s Constitutional right to know (Article II, Section 9).  Governor Schweitzer delivered the opening remarks at this second meeting.  At his request, that portion of the meeting was opened to the press and the public (but with no advance notice prior to the day of the event). 

Malmstrom CTL Background