About Southern Montana Electric Generation & Transmission Cooperative, Inc.
Our Mission:
As a cooperative organization, we provide cost-based, competitively-priced
energy and related services to our members, consistent with the wise use of
our Montana resources. Our member cooperatives and the City of Great Falls
will work with their members to improve the quality of life and the economic
and social well-being of the region.
Why Southern Montana Electric Generation & Transmission Cooperative,
Inc, was formed…
Headquartered in Billings, Montana, Southern Montana Electric Generation & Transmission
Cooperative, Inc., (Southern Montana Electric G&T) was formed in an effort
to obtain cost-based, competitively-priced energy. Five former electric distribution
cooperative members of the Central Montana Electric Cooperative formed the
basis of Southern Montana Electric G&T. The distribution member cooperatives
who we serve are:
- Beartooth Electric Cooperative, Inc., headquartered in Red Lodge, Montana.
- Fergus Electric Cooperative, inc., headquartered in Lewistown,
Montana.
- Mid-Yellowstone Electric Cooperative, Inc. headquartered in Hysham, Montana.
- Tongue River Electric Cooperative, Inc., headquartered in Ashland, Montana.
- Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative, Inc., headquartered at Huntley, Montana.
Shortly after the formation of Southern Montana Electric G&T, the City
of Great Falls joined the organization as the sixth member.
The five member cooperatives serve approximately 65,000 Montanans, and the
City of Great Falls has a population of 57,000. Southern Montana Electric G&T’s
service area encompasses 22 counties in the states of Montana and Wyoming,
nearly 58,000 square miles, or 40% of the total land area of Montana. The service
area includes the City of Great Falls city limits, and suburban areas surrounding
Billings, Montana.
Electrical energy and related services for distribution supplied to Southern
Montana Electric G&T originate from existing power purchase agreements
with Western Area Power Administration (Western) and Bonneville Power Administration
(BPA). This energy flows across contracted paths of transmission owned by Western
and NorthWestern Energy to delivery points within the cooperative systems.
The energy is delivered to the members/consumers through distribution lines,
substations, and other related infrastructure.
Southern Montana Electric G&T’s contractual agreement with BPA will
begin to expire in 2008, and will expire completely in 2011. Replacement of
energy and related services provided through the BPA power purchase agreements
will be subject to market influences, and substantial cost increases. Southern
Montana Electric G&T made the decision to explore other alternatives. Additional
information related to these alternatives can be accessed in the “PROJECT” portion
of this site.
|
