By Nick Fitzmaurice, Missoula Current
Don’t be fooled by NorthWestern Energy’s greenwashing scam. The utility flaunts a concern for its environmental impact, claiming to be a regional leader with nearly 60% carbon-free electricity and a 2050 carbon neutrality goal. However, this is all a smokescreen.
NorthWestern hasn’t built new clean energy for its electricity portfolio in a decade, during which time the utility has invested heavily in expensive fossil fuel generation. Claiming nearly 60% carbon-free electricity, the utility ignores that its recently constructed methane plant–the Yellowstone County Generating Station (YCGS)–along with its intention to nearly quadruple its ownership in the antiquated Colstrip plant could reduce the carbon-free ratio of NorthWestern’s generation portfolio to as low as 22%. NorthWestern continues touting its 2050 carbon neutrality goal without any plan to get there, all the while moving in the opposite, extremely expensive direction.
