NextEra Energy has suspended its Glendive Wind Project, citing market conditions — but shifting local politics may also be playing a role. McCone and Prairie County Commissioners have approved a citizen driven zoning initiative that would impact the project, and Dawson County voters will weigh-in next with a similar zoning proposal. Click on the podcast as Dawson County landowner and project opponent Ric Holden, and McCone County Commissioner Lonny Jensen join us to talk about these historic grassroots zoning efforts.
(Transcript Edited by A.I.)
Tom Schultz
NextEra Energy — the company behind the proposed Glendive Wind Project and numerous wind projects across the country — has suspended the Glendive project, citing market conditions. We have their statement and will discuss that today.
But something else is shifting: local politics. McCone County and Prairie County commissioners have approved citizen‑driven zoning initiatives that very likely affect the project’s future. Dawson County voters will weigh in next.
Joining us today are Dawson County landowner and House District 33 candidate Ric Holden, and McCone County Commissioner Lonny Jensen. We’ll break down what’s happening with wind energy development in Montana and how local citizens are responding.
Tom Schultz
Ric, thanks for being here. You’ve been involved for a long time, not necessarily opposing wind energy altogether, but opposing the Glendive project as proposed. Lonny, welcome as well.
Ric Holden
Good morning, Tom. Greetings to everyone in Prairie, Dawson, and McCone counties. Citizens across the state should be encouraged by what’s happening because this is truly citizen‑initiated politics.
Three major things happened last week regarding wind development.
First, in Dawson County, citizens gathered enough petition signatures to put a zoning initiative on the ballot that would cap industrial wind turbine height at 250 feet — the first time in Montana that voters themselves will decide if they want 600‑foot turbines in their county.
Second, in Prairie County, landowners north of Terry created a zoning district, again capping height at 250 feet. One hundred percent of landowners in that district signed the petition, and commissioners approved it unanimously.
Third, in McCone County, commissioners also approved a citizen‑initiated zoning district capping height at 199 feet.
Big Sky Country will remain big sky in these three counties, and what happened here can serve as a statewide model.
Tom Schultz
And that’s what’s interesting — this is true grassroots work.
Ric Holden
Absolutely. It took door‑to‑door work. Landowners had to explain how these projects could affect property values, the impact from turbine flicker, lights, and the size of these structures — roughly 600 feet tall, about the height of the Seattle Space Needle.
Tom Schultz
Lonny, walk us through the discussions in McCone County as you considered adopting the citizens’ proposal. Some landowners with contracts feel unheard, so how many people in McCone County are actually affected?
Lonny Jensen
The real credit goes to the landowners who wrote and organized the zoning regulations. They knocked on doors and worked with neighbors.
For background, Type 1 zoning involves a group of adjoining landowners who petition to create regulations for their area. We held a public meeting, and the response was telling: only two emailed comments came from people opposed to the zoning — both of whom had leases with NextEra.
One moment that stood out was when a landowner who had leased to NextEra also signed onto the zoning petition. He said publicly that he would regret signing that lease for the rest of his life. That carried weight, especially coming from a respected long‑time rancher.
Tom Schultz
So he essentially signed a contract against his own interests.
Ric Holden
That happened in Prairie and Dawson counties too. People began understanding how these turbines could affect their land and their neighbors’ land.
Wind turbine blades are made of fiberglass containing PFAS chemicals — “forever chemicals.” The EPA labels fiberglass dust as hazardous. Once these strands and particles scatter, they contaminate soil and groundwater, and crops grown in those areas can’t be marketed. That’s one reason President Trump has spoken strongly against industrial wind projects.
Wind companies have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in Montana promoting these projects. Their main selling point is tax revenue — but they often end up requesting tax abatements after the fact.
Tom Schultz
Let me read NextEra’s statement:
“NextEra Energy Resources’ Glendive project was not selected in the most recent customer bidding process. The project cannot advance until a customer is identified. We remain committed to Montana and believe the Glendive site is ideal. Generation here would strengthen Montana’s grid and bring local benefits.”
So officially, the pause is about market conditions and the lack of a customer. That said, the timing does coincide with all these local zoning efforts.
[Segment Break]
Tom Schultz
We’re back with Dawson County landowner and former state senator Ric Holden, and McCone County Commissioner Lonny Jensen. We’re discussing the suspended Glendive Wind Project and the citizen‑initiated zoning regulations in three counties.
Lonny, you mentioned some landowners believe wind revenue could help keep their farms going. That’s part of the philosophical struggle here — property rights and community impacts. How did that lead to a unanimous vote by the McCone County Commission?
Lonny Jensen
McCone County would have hosted only about 13 towers — financially, not a huge impact compared to other counties. So our decision was less about revenue and more about landowner sentiment.
We haven’t been approached by any other wind developers. Only two landowners in McCone County opposed the zoning; most supported it, including some who had signed leases. Many of those supporting the zoning are multi‑generation ranch families — people who’ve survived the 1930s, the 1980s, droughts, high interest rates. They didn’t feel they needed wind turbines to “save the family farm.”
Ric Holden
In Dawson County, another developer — Heelstone Energy — wants to build 70 turbines around 575 feet tall, essentially right on Glendive’s doorstep. From the airport area to Pleasant View Flats and west toward the Prairie County line, the entire hillside landscape could be covered.
Glendive sits downwind from that. If blades deteriorate, debris would blow directly into town. That’s why voters need to take the Dawson County ballot measure seriously.
Tom Schultz
To be fair, turbine blade failures are rare, though not nonexistent.
Ric Holden
Wind companies made that argument for two and a half years at public hearings. People simply didn’t believe them. That’s why Prairie County saw 100% signature support in its zoning district. In Dawson County, one district had 61% approval, another 71%, yet the commissioners rejected both.
The companies spent a fortune trying to counter citizen concerns. The grassroots didn’t buy it.
Tom Schultz
Lonny, what specifically is in your zoning regulations besides the height cap?
Lonny Jensen
The regulations don’t name wind turbines specifically — they apply to structures.
- No permit is required for structures under 149 feet.
- Permits are required for anything above that.
- Structures taller than 199 feet are prohibited.
Ric Holden
It’s important to note there’s an agricultural exemption. Also, the tallest building in Montana is 278 feet — the First Interstate Bank building in Billings. No one in McCone County is likely to build anything near that tall. The height limits clearly address wind turbine concerns.
[Later Segment: Conservation District Actions]
Ric Holden
We have breaking news: for the first time in Montana history, a conservation district — the Dawson County Conservation District — has written land, water, and wildlife protection regulations that will go to a public vote.
They propose a half‑mile setback from wells, springs, wetlands, streams, stock tanks, lakes, and ponds for wind and solar development. This addresses issues like heavy‑metal leaching from solar panels, groundwater contamination, and erosion. These regulations will appear on the June primary ballot.
Tom Schultz
Lonny, is that something McCone County might consider?
Lonny Jensen
It’s worth looking at. Dawson County will get broader public input through a countywide vote. Our communications with energy companies were limited, and they didn’t attend the meeting where we voted. But Dawson’s approach definitely ensures more voices are heard.
[Call‑In Guest: PSC Commissioner Brad Molnar]
Brad Molnar
Puget Sound Energy recently transferred 370 megawatts of power to NorthWestern Energy — but not the transmission rights. The transmission agreement is up for renewal in two years and may be reduced. That could jeopardize part of Colstrip’s output and jobs.
Wind is taxed at 3%; Colstrip at 6%. Montanans end up subsidizing wind. And if wind developers get tax abatements, property taxpayers make up the difference.
Siting decisions fall under DEQ, not the PSC — unless the project tries to sell power into regulated rates. But transmission issues could have major statewide impacts.
[Final Segment]
Tom Schultz
We’re wrapping up. Some Prairie County landowners dispute whether the zoning petition truly gathered 100% of signatures; that conversation will continue. But we’re short on time.
Ric, closing thoughts?
Ric Holden
Montanans need to remember that citizen‑initiated laws are powerful tools — use them. Talk with your conservation districts and learn from what Dawson County has done. If you live east of the Continental Divide, wind and solar developers have their eyes on your county. Get informed and act before decisions are made for you.
Tom Schultz
Ric, thank you. Lonny, thank you as well. And thank you for listening. Join us weekdays from 9 to 10 a.m. for more Voices of Montana.