Commission rejects firm's wind power plan

 HELENA (AP) — The state Public Service Commission has rejected NorthWestern Energy’s agreement to buy power from a new wind project.

The commission voted 3-2 this week to reject an agreement between NorthWestern and Greenfield Wind, which is proposing a wind project near Fairfield.

The agreement includes a 25-year contract to sell wind power to NorthWestern for about $54 per megawatt-hour.

Earlier this year, the PSC approved NorthWestern’s proposal to buy 11 hydroelectric dams that would provide power to Montana ratepayers for $57 to $58 per megawatt hour.

Even though the wind power would be cheaper, there was concern from some commissioners that NorthWestern would be paying for wind power it didn’t need. An official with the Greenfield project says it plans to ask the PSC to reconsider.