Energy group targets power transmission needs

HELENA - Building generation plants to feed off Montana's wealth of coal, wind or gas is pointless without the transmission lines to carry electricity to power-hungry markets in other states, a group of energy industry leaders agreed Thursday.

They endorsed a study, already under way by three utilities, on possible scenarios for new power lines running west out of Montana, to help satisfy demand for electricity in the Pacific Northwest.

The energy group, so new it doesn't have a name, also suggested some kind of public relations campaign explaining to Montanans why the industry believes new po...