Aerial gallery: Despite push for renewable electricity, coal habit proves hard to break
The Clearwater wind project near Circle, Montana and developed by NextEra Energy has a capacity of 750 megawatts.
The Clearwater wind project near Circle, Montana has a capacity of 750 megawatts.
The Clearwater wind project near Circle, Montana has a capacity of 750 megawatts.
The Clearwater wind project near Circle, Montana has a capacity of 750 megawatts.
The Clearwater wind project near Circle, Montana has a capacity of 750 megawatts.
NorthWestern Energy's gas-fired Yellowstone Generating Station will use 18 reciprocating internal combustion engines to produce power. The $310 plant near Laurel is expected to be fully operational this month.
NorthWestern Energy's gas-fired power plant was ensnared in a years-long legal battle after neighbors filed a lawsuit in 2021 to dispute the zoning for the site near Laurel.
Construction continues at NorthWestern Energy's gas fired Laurel Generating Station. The plant will use 18 reciprocating internal combustion engines and the plant is estimated to cost $250 million.
The 20 megawatt Meadowlark Solar project near Billings was completed last fall.
The 20 megawatt Meadowlark Solar project near Billings was completed last fall.
The 20 megawatt Meadowlark Solar project near Billings was completed in 2022.
The 20 megawatt Meadowlark Solar project near Billings was completed in 2022.
An aerial view shows Colstrip units 1,2,3 and 4 as well as nearby industrial ponds.
An aerial view shows Colstrip units 1,2,3 and 4 as well as nearby industrial ponds.
An aerial view shows Colstrip units 1,2,3 and 4 as well as nearby industrial ponds.
An aerial view shows Colstrip units 1,2,3 and 4 as well as nearby industrial ponds.
An aerial view shows Colstrip units 1,2,3 and 4 as well as nearby industrial ponds.
An aerial view shows Colstrip units 1,2,3 and 4 as well as nearby industrial ponds.
An aerial view shows Colstrip units 1,2,3 and 4 as well as nearby industrial ponds.
An aerial view shows Colstrip units 1,2,3 and 4 as well as nearby industrial ponds.
An aerial view shows Colstrip industrial ponds.
An aerial view shows Colstrip industrial ponds.
An aerial view shows Colstrip units 1,2,3 and 4 as well as nearby industrial ponds.
An aerial view shows Colstrip units 1,2,3 and 4 as well as nearby industrial ponds.
An aerial view shows Colstrip units 1,2,3 and 4 as well as nearby industrial ponds.
An aerial view shows Colstrip units 1,2,3 and 4 as well as nearby industrial ponds.
An aerial view shows Colstrip units 1,2,3 and 4 as well as nearby industrial ponds.
An aerial view from 2022 shows Colstrip units 1,2,3 and 4 as well as nearby industrial ponds.
An aerial view shows Colstrip units 1,2,3 and 4 as well as nearby industrial and recreational ponds.
An aerial view shows Colstrip units 1,2,3 and 4 as well as nearby industrial ponds.
An aerial view shows Colstrip units 1,2,3 and 4 as well as nearby industrial and recreational ponds.
An aerial view shows open pit coal mining near Colstrip.
An aerial view shows Colstrip units 1,2,3 and 4 as well as nearby industrial ponds.
An aerial view shows Colstrip units 1,2,3 and 4 as well as nearby industrial ponds.
An aerial view shows Colstrip units 1,2,3 and 4 as well as nearby industrial ponds.
Solar and wind farms have become more common amid a push to end carbon emissions. But even as renewables become more popular, the fossil fuel industry remains prominent.
A half-century of inaction protecting U.S. miners from poisonous rock dust has contributed to the premature deaths of thousands from “black lung.” A new proposal would cut the current limit for silica exposure by half — but after years of broken promises and delays, many are skeptical.
Coal combustion for electricity remains one of the top sources of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, even after many coal-fired power plants shut down over the past decade.
