“He’s the first governor we’ve had who looks down the road and knows how to get there,” said the retired University of Connecticut professor.
Although slated to discuss the outcome of the 2007 Legislature, Schweitzer instead took the opportunity at the Missoula Kiwanis Club’s weekly luncheon Tuesday to pitch his ideas for developing energy in the more economically starved areas of the state.
He emphasized “clean and green” coal development, carbon sequestration, wind power and less dependence on foreign oil. There was no time for questions at the conclusion of Schweitzer’s presentation - the governor was out the door before the audience finished singing the state song.
Yet, the crowd appeared impressed.
“He’s not a dreamer,” said Janet Hulme, a Missoula entrepreneur. “He has the education. He has the background. He’s telling us the truth.”
In his talk, the governor said the United States must look to its domestic resources to produce energy - and that he envisions Montana leading the charge. The 2007 Legislature passed Schweitzer’s “clean and green” energy proposal after a number of failed attempts, but Republicans criticized him for introducing the bill so late in the session.
Although most of his talk Tuesday focused on energy development in Montana’s central and eastern regions, Schweitzer warned Missoula folks to “please, plan your growth. If you don’t plan your future, you may not be happy when you get there.”
Schweitzer pushed the idea that coal and gas development must fall hand-in-hand with carbon capture and sequestration, he said. The identification of solid geological sites near transmission lines to store carbon underground is already taking place, he said.
What remains unclear is the legal framework of carbon sequestration and instances where landowners, who don’t own the mineral rights under their soil, can pump carbon into the ground, Schweitzer said. Who’s liable for leaks and who has the right to extract the carbon are both questions in need of answers, he said.
Schweitzer suggested using a similar sequestering method to house compressed air. One of the biggest concerns about wind development is: What happens when the wind doesn’t blow? The governor proposed storing compressed air underground and releasing it at a constant rate to run turbines consistently - even on hot, sunny, windless days.
Once power is generated, transmission lines are needed to move it to consumers. A number of transmission line projects are proposed to run through Montana. The market’s demanding clean and green energy, he said. If Montana wants to sell to places like Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Phoenix, it’s important its power meets the market’s standards.
Montana has abundant resources, said Eversole, who agrees with Schweitzer and believes the state should develop its oil, gas, coal and wind.
“It will cost money, but it will bring in more down the road,” he said.
Reporter Chelsi Moy can be reached at 523-5260 or at Chelsi.Moy@Missoulian.com
|
 |
 |
Add your comment now! Write your comment in the form below.
(Email address is for verification only. If you'd like to email a story, look for the link above)