Montana Governor: Crow Nation, Energy Company Sign Agreement for Coal Project

First New Coal Mine in MT in Three Decades

(HELENA) – Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer today joined tribal leaders of the Crow Nation as well as executives from Australian-American Energy Company (AAEC) in announcing that the tribe and company have formed a partnership to move forward on a coal-to-liquid facility and a new mine to be located on the Crow Reservation.

“Montana is on the move,” said Governor Schweitzer. “This project means supplying American energy produced by American workers to the country. This is the first new coal mine in Montana in 30 years and will be a significant contributor to our nation’s energy security.”

Governor Schweitzer was introduced to AAEC at an international coal-to-liquids conference in New York during the summer of 2007 and invited the company to more closely assess Montana’s abundant resources. His administration has worked closely with both the Crow Nation and the company in helping make this project a reality.

“Significant economic stimulation – in an area of economic dislocation has been a priority of my administration and I applaud our friends from AAEC for choosing this partnership,” said Governor Schweitzer.

The partnership between the tribe and the company has been in the making for nearly a year. The Crow Reservation was chosen for the project because of the abundant coal resources that tribal leadership is willing to develop.

“Yesterday, tribal leaders made an important decision that will not only benefit their own people, but will be a huge step in ensuring energy security for the United States,” said the Governor. “I want to extend to Chairman Venne my deepest gratitude in being a part of the solution.”

The project, called Many Stars, is initially targeted to convert 38,000 tons of coal per day into 50,000 barrels per day of ultra-clean diesel, jet fuel and naphtha. The project would provide up to 4,000 jobs during construction and 900 permanent jobs on the reservation after start up, which is expected in 2016.

Source: Montana Governor