Gov. Brian Schweitzer said Montana should be the leader in energy during a speech at the Montana Senior Citizens Association state convention in Sidney Thursday.
Early in his speech, Schweitzer teased that a "rookie" governor couldn't make much of a difference on the national level. But he joked that he could've forecasted the characteristics of Hurricane Katrina because his 15-year-old daughter is named Katrina. "Her path will be uncertain and unpredictable. She will arrive very late. She will do damage, a lot of damage, and when it's all done, somebody else will be blamed."
 Bill Vander Weele | Sidney Herald Gov. Brian Schweitzer shares a laugh during the Montana Senior Citizens Association state convention held in Sidney. |
"It's been a very good run in Sidney, but we can do more," the governor said.
He said the nation is relying on fuel from Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Liberia, "and all those countries that end with stan."
Schweitzer noted German scientists discovered a system 80 years ago where coal can be made into diesel and gasoline fuel. He said 30 years ago, South Africa started making diesel out of coal, and now the country produces 200,000 barrels of diesel and aviation fuel a day.
Montana possesses 30 percent of the coal in the nation and 9 percent for the entire world. "We have enough coal in Montana to provide the country with enough fuel for the next 40 years. There's enough coal in this country to provide fuel for the next 150 years."
He said Montana's leaders need to be aggressive. "Here's an opportunity for us to be first," Schweitzer said. "We don't need to wait for Congress."
He said companies such as Shell Oil already have expressed interest in being a partner with Montana. Recently, Schweitzer guided South African officials on an airplane tour throughout much of eastern Montana. They stopped in Colstrip to observe its "well class coal operation and electrical plant."
"This technology, with Montana coal, would put diesel and fuel prices at $1 a gallon," Schweitzer said. "What would that do for the next generation?"
Schweitzer asks the public to make his energy plan a reality. "I don't know if we're going to get it done. I know we need your help."
The governor asked audience members to be leaders in their communities and tell their friends about the energy ideas.
"I want eastern Montana to be the center of energy development," Schweitzer said.
editor@sidneyherald.com
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