Challenging the Highwood Power Plant

The plant would have been built on top of one of the last preserved campsites of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The National Park Service reported that the site's destruction would represent "an irreparable loss to the national heritage of our country."

Case Overview

Earthjustice, on behalf of local conservation groups, challenged state and federal authorizations for the Highwood Generating Station, a 250-MW coal-fired power plant proposed by a small group of eastern Montana electricity cooperatives known as the Southern Montana Electric Generation and Transmission Cooperative. Earthjustice also challenged a $600 million federal subsidy of this power plant—a power plant that would produce pollutants and greenhouse gases for decades to come.

This proposed plant would have been built on top of one of the last preserved campsites of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and the National Park Service has reported that its destruction would represent “an irreparable loss to the national heritage of our country.”

In February, 2009, the backers of the plant announced that they are reversing course and will instead build natural gas and wind energy facilities, and in August, 2009, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality revoked the air quality permit for the plant.

Great Falls, MT. The coal plant was to be built on top of the Great Falls Portage National Historic Landmark and Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.
Great Falls, MT. The coal plant was to be built on top of the Great Falls Portage National Historic Landmark and Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. (Greater Falls / Flickr)

Case Updates

August 7, 2009 Press Release: Victory

Highwood Coal Plant Project Near Great Falls, Montana Officially Dead

State revokes air quality permit

February 2, 2009 Press Release: Victory

Montana Coal-Fired Power Plans Scrapped

Natural gas and wind power will replace coal plant

July 2, 2008 Press Release

Troubled Montana Coal Plant Proposal Faces Fresh Challenge

Global warming pollution not addressed in air permit