Montana city seeks to limit water use to help coal plant

BILLINGS– Residents of an eastern Montana city are being asked to limit their water use so one of the largest coal-fired power plants in the western U.S. can continue to safely operate.

Colstrip Mayor John Williams asked the city’s 2,300 residents to minimize their use of water for sprinkling and irrigation through the end of August.

The notice came at the request of Talen Energy, a Pennsylvania company that operates the 2,100-megawatt Colstrip power plant.

Williams says low water levels and high temperatures have been causing problems with Talen’s water intake system on the Yellowstone River.

The company uses the water to cool its plant. It also provides water for the city under a longstanding agreement.

Talen spokesman Todd Martin said Tuesday there is no danger of the plant shutting down.