Governor: Montana can cut carbon, keep jobs [View all]

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Gov. Steve Bullock said Friday that Montana can meet the Obama administration's goal of reducing climate pollution while protecting energy-related jobs and avoiding the closure of coal plants that generate the bulk of the state's emissions.

The White House plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions 30 percent from 2005 levels by 2030 has generated a backlash in many coal-dependent states.

Republicans in Montana have sought to capitalize on the issue ahead of November's election, asserting the climate plan amounts to a war on coal.

With Friday's announcement, Bullock, a Democrat, moved to blunt such criticisms with alternatives that cut emissions but don't shut down coal plants. Those include the huge Colstrip Steam Electric Station run by PPL Montana, a 2,400-megawatt facility that churns out about 15 million tons of carbon dioxide a year, or about half the state's total.

http://www.timesunion.com/business/energy/article/Governor-Mont-can-cut-carbon-keep-energy-jobs-5767210.php