Great Falls to leave co-op building plant
The Great Falls Tribune reports the city sent a letter to the Southern Montana Electric Generation & Transmission Cooperative requesting "to be relieved of any and all obligations that exist with Southern." Electric City Power, the city's utility arm, hopes to reach an agreement by March 18 and avoid litigation.
City attorney James Santoro says SME has closed portions of its board meetings and won't let the city see a contract that would help it set appropriate rates for its customers. ECP has lost money for years.
The largest member of the six-member co-op, Yellowstone Valley Electric, has filed a lawsuit to leave SME.
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Alberta gives $40M to help workers transition from coal power jobs
EDMONTON - Alberta is putting aside $40 million to help workers losing their jobs as the province transitions away from thermal coal mines and coal-fired power plants over the next decade.
Labour Minister Christina Gray says the money will top up benefits to 75 per cent of a worker’s previous earnings during the time they collect employment insurance.
Alberta is asking the federal government to not claw back existing benefits as the province tops up those EI benefits, while also extending EI benefits for retiring coal workers.
Gray says even if the federal government does not step up, the province will provide the…