Montana Energy Resources

Coal energy accounts for 56.1% of the energy usage in Montana. Other energy sources within the Montana energy mix include 42.1% hydroelectric power, 1.5% petroleum, .1% natural gas, and .2% various other energy sources. Coal power accounts for more than half of the energy in Montana.

In comparison to the Montana energy mix, the United States energy mix consists of 51.8% coal, 19.8% nuclear energy, 16.1% gas, 7.2% of hydroelectric power, 2.9% petroleum, and 2.2% other energy sources.

Montana’s coal energy percentage is supported by energy policies and legislation. Current energy legislation supports a cleaner environment by placing energy policies on various types of energy production such as coal. The Clean Air Planning Act and Clean Coal Tax Incentives are initiatives for reducing certain air emissions and lead to better energy processes to produce fuels such as coal power thereby favoring coal consumption to generate electricity.

Through this legislation and these policies, the coal industry has researched and developed coal processes such as clean coal technology for more efficient means of coal production and consumption. At any given time, the Department of Energy's Office of Fossil Energy typically manages several clean coal technology projects within Montana.