MATL gets green light

The state of Montana has given the green light to a high-voltagetransmission line that could trigger millions in green energyproduction in northcentral Montana.

The 600 megawatts of north-south capacity on the Montana Alberta Tie Line has been sold to NaturEner, Invenergy and Wind Hunter.

"It'sclear to us they are desperate for available transmission," said CEOJohan van't Hof of Toronto-based Tonbridge Power Co., the developer.

Markets on the West Coast are "clamoring for clean energy," he added.

Gov.Brian Schweitzer announced Wednesday the state Department ofEnvironmental Quality had approved a certificate of compliance allowingTonbridge to build the line, which would stretch 214 miles betweenGreat Falls and Lethbridge, Alberta.

That leaves one remainingpermit from the U.S. Department of Energy. Van't hoff is hopeful for adecision from the DOE by the first week of November, he said.

"Thank you for investing your dollars in Montana," Schweitzer told van't Hof at the announcement in Helena.

Schweitzer,noting the state's wind output has jumped from 1 megawatt to 271megawatts in four years, said MATL would lead to an additional 600megawatts of wind development in the Golden Triangle and a billiondollars in investment.

NaturEner already is constructing the140-turbine, 210 megawatt Glacier Wind Farm 85 miles north of GreatFalls. That project will utilize existing transmission, but the companyhas said a large expansion is likely once MATL is built.

The company has purchased all of the north-bound capacity.

Constructionwon't begin for six months because it will take that long tomanufacture the steel poles, which are 90 feet tall and 3 feet indiameter, van't Hof said. Part of the line will also have woodenH-frame poles.

In announcing Montana's approval Wednesday,Schweitzer said a landowner liaison team would be created to addresslandowner concerns. Cascade County Commissioner Peggy Beltrone, aDemocrat, will serve on the team, as will Rep. Llew Jones, R-Conrad,and Tonbridge executives.

A group of Canadian landowners is challenging the project in court.

"Ourstaff worked very had to balance the legitimate concerns of locallandowners with our need for the transmission of this vast source ofrenewable energy," said Richard Opper, DEQ director.

The companywill pay fair market value for 105-foot right-of-way easements, makeannual rent payments and pay for any crops damaged during construction,van't Hof said.

The company has invested $55 million in theproject so far, he said. The remaining cost of constructing the line is$125 million, he said.

Tonbridge will take out a $90 million loan from a bank while customers who will use the line have pre-paid $35 million, he said.

Thecompany will save $3 million a year in property taxes thanks to taxincentives promoting green energy, which were approved by the 2007Legislature.

Reach Tribune Staff Writer Karl Puckett at 791-1471, 800-438-6600 or kpuckett@greatfallstribune.com.