Governor Gianforte Celebrates Nearly $1 Billion Energy Investment in Montana

Cuts ribbon on Clearwater Wind Energy Center

• September 20 2024

MILES CITY, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte yesterday cut the ribbon on NextEra Energy Resources’ Clearwater Wind Energy Center in Miles City and celebrated the company’s nearly $1 billion investment in Montana.

“We’re ramping up energy production in Montana with our all-of-the-above approach, including wind, oil and gas, solar, and hydropower,” Gov. Gianforte said. “We’ll continue to welcome investment in Montana to make energy more affordable and reliable across the region.”

Gov. Gianforte speaking during a ceremony for the opening of the Clearwater Wind Energy Center

The Clearwater Wind Energy Center, which started in 2013, was developed the in four phases across Custer, Garfield, and Rosebud counties and created approximately 350 jobs during each phase of construction.

Joining representatives from NextEra Energy Resources, Avista, Portland General Electric, and Puget Sound Energy, the governor celebrated the completion of the fourth phase of the project. Clearwater Wind Energy Center will produce over 750 megawatts (MW) to power over 500,000 homes per year.

Gov. Gianforte cutting the ribbon on the Clearwater Wind Energy Center

Recently, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) approved Class 14 eligibility for the Clearwater transmission tie line, which connects the Clearwater wind project to the existing Colstrip transmission lines that will export wind energy to utility customers across the region and into Washington state.

Highlighting the benefit of Montana's wind resources to improve grid reliability and lower costs, Avista Chief Executive Officer Dennis Vermillion added, “Wind is part of the diverse supply portfolio that we have, and it only complements our affordability and priority to deliver our customers energy as cost effectively as possible.”

According to DEQ, Montana added an average of 53 MW of wind per year to its generated energy portfolio from 2005 to 2017, and an average of 180 MW from 2018 to 2023. Just over 14% of the electricity generated in Montana comes from wind, and 43% comes from hydropower.

Speaking to Montana’s all-of-the-above approach to energy, the governor added, “With our abundant coal and hydro resources, Montana has long served as a powerhouse for the west. This project solidifies our legacy as an energy powerhouse as demand grows for renewable energy, and as utilities look to diversify their portfolios.”