ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW process:
Under the Major Facilities Siting Act (Statute:75-20-101 et seq., MCA) of the State of Montana, a certificate of compliance will be required from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for the MSTI Project.
The Montana State legislature found that the construction of additional lines, pipelines, and geothermal facilities may be necessary to meet the increasing need for electricity, energy, and other products; that it is necessary to ensure that the location, construction, and operation of covered facilities ( i.e. electrical transmission lines of 230 kV or more and 10 miles or more in length are covered under MFSA) are in compliance with state law; and that a covered facility may not be constructed or operated within Montana without a certificate of compliance acquired pursuant to MFSA. The legislature also found the purposes of MFSA are to: ensure the protection of the state's environmental resources; ensure the consideration of socioeconomic impacts; provide citizens with an opportunity to participate in facility siting decisions; and establish a coordinated and efficient method for the processing of all authorizations required for regulated facilities.
Northwestern Energy is an applicant for a certificate under the Montana Major Facility Siting Act (MFSA) must file an application with the DEQ for the MSTI Project.