Commissioners schedule public hearing for NWE permit Feb. 1

The Yellowstone Board of County Commissioners has scheduled a public hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 1, at 9:30 a.m. to determine whether to issue a floodplain permit for NorthWestern Energy. The permit will allow the company to continue construction of a pipeline under the Yellowstone River from the south side of the river to its property on the north side. Commissioners were sued by several residents of the neighborhood to the south of the river, closest to the location of the proposed pipeline, after failing to provide notice and adequate time for public comment.

The pipeline is necessary for NWE’s plans to construct a methane-fed 175-megawatt power plant in Laurel on the north side of the river. Many of the residents closest to the plant have complained that the company hasn’t been transparent in dealings with them and has bypassed environmental and construction approval.