hunting, fishing, agriculture, viewshed, building density, wildlife habitat, and many others–and
how these values may be protected through the siting of a transmission line.
“Montanans have always respected our rich natural resources as a source of prosperity and their
benefit to our quality of life,” said Dave Schulz, Madison County Commissioner. “We look
forward to working with other counties to pursue the thoughtful development of responsibly
sited transmission lines in a way that protects the values that Montanans share with our
neighbors in Idaho.”
In addition to possible corridor analysis, the project also will conduct an economic analysis of
the impacts of the MSTI line on property values and county revenue while examining the
underlying need for the proposed transmission line.
“Better understanding the tax issues associated with the MSTI line is a huge benefit in assisting
with decision-making for local county governments. The MSTI Review Project is providing a
much needed process and independent voice for Montanans and Idahoans,” said Leonard
Wortman, Jefferson County Commissioner.
The effort, called the MSTI Review Project, is a unique independent partnership of county
commissioners and non-governmental organizations in southwest Montana. The first task of the
project will be to reach out to counties along the entire 400 miles of the MSTI line to join in the
effort and establish a Liaison Group, appointed by county officials, to help define the process.
The MSTI Review Group includes: Madison County, MT; Jefferson County, MT; Western
Environmental Law Center; Headwaters Economics; Sonoran Institute; Craighead Institute and
Future West. MSTI is a 500kv line being planned by NorthWestern Energy between Townsend,
Montana and Twin Falls, Idaho.
Funding for the project is expected to come from a variety of sources, in-kind and cash,
including counties, states, individuals, foundations, and Northwestern Energy.
For more information on the newly formed group, visit www.MSTIReviewProject.org.
Contact List:
County Commissioners
Dave Schulz, Madison County Commissioner
Dan Happel, Madison County Commissioner
Jim Hart, Madison County Commissioner
406-843-4277; madco@madison.mt.gov
Leonard Wortman, Jefferson County Commissioner
406-225-4027; lwortman@jeffco.mt.gov
Project Coordination
Monique DiGiorgio, Western Environmental Law Center
406-451-0051, digiorgio@westernlaw.org
County and Stakeholder Outreach
Dennis Glick, Future West
406-587-2974, dennis@future-west.org
Economic Analysis
Julia Haggerty Ph.D, Headwaters Economics,
406-600-1766, julia@headwaterseconomics.org
Technical
Community Analysis
Cameron Ellis, Sonoran Institute
406-587-7331, cellis@sonoraninstitute.org
Wildlife Analysis
Brent Brock, Craighead Institute
406-585-8705, bbrock@craigheadresearch.org