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Thompson River Co-Gen
This little 15-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Thompson Falls has been mired in problems from the beginning. Originally slated to burn wood waste, and rely on coal only for backup, the owners rapidly shifted to primarily burning coal. The plant has not operated in almost a year and has an unpaid fine levied by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality of $1.5 million. Despite the fine, DEQ issued the company another air pollution permit in September 2006 that allowed the plant to largely avoid doing what it was required to do in its original air pollution permit. The new permit has been appealed by local environmental groups and is currently before an administrative hearings examiner. (May 2007)
Recent News
- Schweitzer seeks probe of power plant (by VINCE DEVLIN - Missoulian - 02/24/08) THOMPSON FALLS — Gov. Brian Schweitzer has asked Attorney General Mike McGrath to conduct a criminal investigation into whether the former owners of a Thompson Falls power plant provided fraudulent information to the state in order to obtain a massive reduction in fines for continually violating air quality standards....
- Governor seeks investigation of former plant owner (by The Associated Press - 02/22/08)
- Governor urged to investigate power deal (by JOHN S. ADAMS Tribune Capitol Bureau) HELENA — Two environmental groups and 14 Sanders County residents are asking Gov. Brian Schweitzer to investigate whether the former owner of a Western Montana power plant deceived regulators last fall to avoid paying a stiff state fine. In a letter faxed to the governor's office this week, representatives from the Clark Fork Coalition and the Montana Environmental Information Center. . . .
See also
(November 30, 2007) Thompson River Co-Gen, LLC Resolves Clean Air Act Violations