This image of the new NorthWestern Energy Gas Plant in Laurel shows the amount of pipes and engines it takes to support the plant in Laurel. (Evelyn Pyburn Photo)
Although NorthWestern Energy’s Yellowstone County Generating Station is going through final performance testing, it is in full operation and serving customers. A group of media folks were given a tour last week, accompanied by several company representatives, including Josh Follman, the generating station’s project manager and Director of Project Development for NorthWestern Energy (NWE).
The new $310 million generating station is comprised of 18 reciprocating internal combustion engines that are capable of generating a total of 175 megawatts, which helps close the gap of the generation needs for NWE’s customers in Montana. The generating station is located next to the CHS Refinery at Laurel at the end of South Strauch Road, just off the South Frontage Road.
Follman declared the plant as “very good, very clean.” It is “One of the cleanest facilities because of its emissions profile.” According to Follman, the company does not have to monitor for emissions because their emissions are “far below the levels set to initiate controls. The plant is equipped with emission monitors that continuously take readings, and are programmed to “kick itself off” should emissions reach unacceptable levels. Because of its low emissions, NWE is only required to submit reports to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), annually.
NWE pushed to complete the generating station as quickly as possible in order to circumvent the frequent need to purchase energy from the market when it lacks the energy needed to meet peak demand periods. “If we don’t have enough … Read entire story by subscribing here.
