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Co-op starts building coal plant

State environmental regulators have issued an emissions permit for the planned Dry Fork Station coal-fired power plant north of Gillette.

Critics protest that the plant will use old-fashioned technology that fails to capture carbon emissions that contribute to global warming.

Basin Electric Power Cooperative officials said construction of the 385-megawatt plant began last week, after the state gave its approval Monday.

Read the entire story here:

http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/10/21/news/wyoming/28-coal.txt 

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Judge backs water quality standards

A state district judge has upheld Montana’s water quality standards designed to protect rivers from salty water discharged in coalbed methane operations.

Judge Blair Jones in a ruling Wednesday said the Montana Board of Environmental Review and the Department of Environmental Quality acted properly in adopting numeric water quality standards and amending the state’s policy protecting high-quality water from salty water associated with the drilling.

Read the entire story here:

http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/10/20/news/state/35-waterquality.txt 

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Demand for coal falls short of predictions amid uncertainties

At least 16 coal-fired power plant proposals nationwide have been scrapped in recent months and more than three dozen have been delayed as utilities face increasing pressure due to concerns over global warming and rising construction costs.

The slow pace of plant construction reflects a dramatic change in fortune for a fuel source that just a few years ago was poised for a major resurgence. Combined, the canceled and delayed projects represent enough electricity to power approximately 20 million homes.

Read the entire story here:

http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/10/18/news/state/21-coal.txt