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Wednesday, 14 March 2007 |
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Buck Traxler, I-O Editor
You say ‘toe-mah-toe’ and I say tomato, you say merge, I say sell. That is the fine line that Babcock & Brown Infrastructure (BBI) is portraying to the public in their bid to acquire NorthWestern Energy (NWE).
BBI likens the deal as coming together without abrupt change. The sale on the other hand is to give up to another for money, or other valuable considerations. Merger, sale, the proposed $2.2 billion purchase price still has to go through and be approved by the Public Service Commission (PSC). PSC members are holding pubic comment meetings, giving people a chance to comment on the possible acquisition.
 Ken Toole, Public Service Commissioner
Before turning the meeting over to representatives of NWE, BBI and the Montana Consumer Counsel (MCC), he gave about a 10-year timeline of Montana Power Company and events that led to NWE taking control from the defunct Touch America division to the bankruptcy of NWE. Toole recalled that PMC had lobbied for deregulation and sold off their generative facilities. NWE came in and bought MPC transmission and utility business. MPC assets were lost when its telecommunications company, Touch America, filed for bankruptcy.
He noted that state law provides the authority to approve sales. “The bottom line, this is a very big transaction with a lot of money on the table.”
Mike Schmit, representing NWE, commented, “We’re very committed to our customers. We’re committed to all our communities, including Conrad.”
In that vane, he said NWE had donated about $500,000 across their system, including $42,000 in Great Falls which includes Conrad.
Toby Beaglehole, a general manager of insurance and compliance, talked about BBI.
BBI is a global investment and advisory firm with longstanding capability in financed management of asset and cash flow-based investments.
Babcock and Brown was founded in San Frnacisco in 1977 but is now based out of Sydney, Australia with five operating divisions; real estate, infrastructure and project finance, operating leasing, structured finance and corporate finance.
They operate from 27 offices across Australia, North America, Europe, Asia, the United Emirates and Africa with over 1,000 employees. |
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Wednesday, 14 March 2007 |
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) released the draft environmental impact statement (EIS) on the Montana Alberta Tie transmission line. The DEQ is accepting public comment on the document until April 9.
Montana Alberta Tie Ltd. (MATL) has submitted a Montana Major Facility Siting Act application to the DEQ to construct an electric transmission line. MATL proposes to construct, operate, and maintain a 230-kV transmission line between Lethbridge, Alberta and Great Falls. As proposed, the 130-mile transmission line would extend from the Montana-Alberta border northeast of Cut Bank to an existing substation just north of Rainbow Dam near Great Falls.
A 30-day public comment period for written comments will close on April 9. Public hearings will be held at the following locations from 6:30-9:30 p.m.:
Norley Hall, 400 N. Virginia, Conrad on March 27.
Glacier County Voting Center, 917 East Railroad St., Cut Bank on March 28.
Great Falls Civic Center, Missouri Room, 2 Park Dr. S., on March 29.
The draft EIS may be viewed on the web at www.deq.mt.gov. Persons on the project mailing list will receive paper copies in the mail. For questions or to request a CD or paper copy of the draft EIS contact Greg Hallsten at 406-444-3276.
Written comments should be submitted to Hallsten at the DEQ Director’s Office, P.O. Box 200901, Helena, Mont. 59620-0901. Comments may also be e-mailed to
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The DEQ will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to participate in this process. If you require an accommodation, please contact Lisa Peterson at 406-444-2929 or at the address above.
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Wednesday, 14 March 2007 |
By Chary Majerus
Nearly 70 artists from 12 states will host this year’s Western Heritage Artists Art Show at the Holiday Inn in Great Falls during Western Art Week. Nearly a dozen of those artists come from our local communities.
A versatile artist who works in watercolor, acrylic, oil, pencil and ink, Robert (Bob) Moritz of Conrad draws from his surroundings, personal experience with horses and cattle, and from historical studies.
As a member of the Western Heritage Artists Association (WHA), he helps organize the show in addition to helping set up his own exhibit in room 106.
Moritz, chairman of the Quick Finish event, admitted it can get hectic. “Last year a TV station came in for an interview just minutes before we were to begin,” he said, describing the challenges of the Quick Finish where buyers watch as artists compete, working from live models dressed as Lewis and Clark party members or from something of the artist’s choice.
“These things are kind of fun, but you never know what you’ll end up with.”
Once, when finishing up, he knocked the frame off of the table, breaking the glass. Thinking the picture wasn’t very good anyway, he had decided to drop out. Another artist offered him a frame and glass, so he was able to continue.
In order to fit the frame, he had to cut the painting down. “This actually helped the picture,” said Moritz. “So I went ahead and framed it and sold it.”
 QUICK DRAW ARTISTS AT WORK - Bob Moritz participates in the Western Heritage Artists’ Quick Finish and Auction, in which artists are given 45 minutes to compete art that is then auctioned off.
“I’m amazed at the wonderful artwork,” said auctioneer Fred Burow. “Sometimes people can get really nice art at a bargain price.”
But it isn’t bargain prices that draw people to Great Falls for the Russell Art Auction and related art shows. It’s the experience of sharing our western heritage through a medley of media.
According to WHA artist Jim Utsler’s website, “Art brings memories to life.” This Choteau artist has received numerous awards and his profile can be viewed at www.outdoormemories.com . Working in oil, acrylic and pencil, Utsler strives to capture realism in his wildlife and scenic art.
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