Colstrip bill could derail Montana's clean energy future

Colstrip’s old coal-fired power units are losing money and that means their days are numbered. Units 1 and 2 are closing by 2022 at the latest and maybe sooner. We need to make sure Colstrip’s operators fulfill their responsibilities in helping the state deal with the economic loss to workers, the community, and the environment. But, we have another problem.

Legislation has been proposed that doesn’t just hold Colstrip’s operators accountable — it punishes them. And, as good as retribution may feel, the problem is that it will also scare away developers and companies whose invest...