A Few Choice Words

Great Falls Tribune March 31, 2007
Re-regulating power in Montana under a bill heard in a Senate committee Friday could keep the City of Great Falls' utility arm from expanding its consumer base in the future, and, at worst, reduce its financial investment in the proposed Highwood Generating Station.

"We believe it's important to preserve choice," said Coleen Balzarini, city fiscal officer, who opposed the bill along with Lawton and Tim Gregori, executive director of Southern Montana Electric Generation & Transmission, the developer of the proposed power plant. Opponents warned lawmakers not to rush into major legislation that could have serious ramifications on consumers.

Great Falls Tribune March 1, 2007
Why not hold a public vote on whether to build the power plant, an issue raised by legislative candidate Mary Jolley? There's obviously a lot of public interest in the plant.

"What would be the mechanism for voting on it?" Lawton asked.

"Hearings, meetings and chances to comment in writing offered by various agencies have been available along the way, Balzarini said. This process is much more informative than a vote," she said."

So our city administration cries out that it is important to preserve 'choice' and not rush into endeavors that could be of such importance to consumers. Then why did they back legislation to force the city residential customers to buy energy from Electric City Power, eliminating our choice? (see posts by GeeGuy here and here) If 'choice' is so primary, then why not allow city residents to vote on the coal plant to begin with? Maybe the legislature should just have a few closed door meetings on this bill, glance at some public comments, and then let a couple of legislative aides decide.

Frankly, I think that the personal ideology of our city manager and fiscal officer are well represented but those of the populace are not. Where are the city commissioners and who is really running the show? The continued absence of any significant public commentary from the commissioners on coal plant issues is revealing. Based on media reports I do not have any sense of their direct involvement.

Along this same line of questioning recently, Mayor Dona Stebbins said, "The other Commissioners and I are frequently busy, speaking to civic groups and just conducting our daily lives. I encourage anyone with questions to call or email me.. We ARE the ones making the decisions, popular or not. Mr Lawton is our EMPLOYEE, and carries out the policies decided upon by the Commissioners."

Mayor Stebbins, I respect you and really appreciate your service to our community. I am sure it is an extremely difficult job with people pulling you in all directions. On the other hand, if you and the other commissioners do not have the time to personally own the coal plant issue, then our city does not have any business being a partner in a $180 million speculative investment. There was not a public vote so there is no mandate, the commissioners do not appear to have the time nor expertise to carry this plan out, and my impression is that the coal plant proposal has been for the most part contrived and administered by non-elected officials. Just calling it like I see it.