NaturEner, which designs, develops and operates utility-scale renewable energy projects, hosted Montana Gov. Steve Bullock at its San Francisco corporate offices on Tuesday. During the visit, the company says it updated the governor on NaturEner's Montana wind energy facilities and its plans for future development in the state.
According to NaturEner, it owns and operates three Montana wind energy projects, located in Glacier and Toole counties, that total 399 MW and represent approximately 62% of the existing wind power fleet in the state. The company also says it has invested over $875 million locally.
Bullock toured NaturEner's 24/7 real-time Operations Center and was also briefed on the company's wildlife conservation measures at its 189 MW Rim Rock project. As the company announced earlier this month, these measures include the installation of radar detection systems for eagles and the positioning of trained avian biologists at different locations with the ability to immediately pause wind turbine operations.
‘Montana's great wind resource is creating good-paying jobs across our state and supporting rural communities,’ said Bullock. ‘This meeting allows me the opportunity to couple my firsthand experiences at the Glacier and Rim Rock Wind Farms with a better understanding of how renewable energy is powering the American West and helping to expand Montana's economy.’
