Regulators suggest $20M in repairs needed at Colstrip power plant

Washington state regulators have estimated $20 million in needed repairs for a power plant in Montana raising concerns about the life of the generator.

The Billings Gazette reported Wednesday that the Washington Utility and Transportation Commission confirmed a superheated portion of Unit 4 of the Colstrip Power Plant is showing signs of degradation.

Officials say the superheated portion is a zone of boiler tubing where steam is heated to more than a thousand degrees before entering the plant's turbines.

Power plant owners say the repairs could cause the units closure in addition to increasing costs of coal.

Four of the six Colstrip owners say operations at the plant could stop as early as 2025.

Officials in Washington state say repairs should not be approved because of the plant's uncertain future.
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Information from: The Billings Gazette, http://www.billingsgazette.com