Landowners sue Yellowstone County commissioners to block Laurel power plant [Video]

LAUREL — A NorthWestern Energy methane plant could soon take over the Laurel skyline, but not without pushback from residents.

On Monday, a lawsuit was filed by four Laurel residents who live near the plant who claim Yellowstone County commissioners intentionally cut the public out of the zoning process.

The plaintiffs are attempting to reverse Yellowstone County commissioners’ approval of a new growth policy that they claim the public did not have a chance to comment on. That policy allowed county commissioners to have a say in zoning in the area, which includes the footprint of the NorthWestern Energy plant. Court documents allege that county commissioners always intended to grant NorthWestern Energy’s zoning needs for a Laurel methane plant—regardless of requirements.

Court documents filed Monday allege that since 2020, the City of Laurel and Yellowstone County commissioners have continuously modified a growth management policy for the city and intentionally cut out public comment, all to ensure that Northwestern Energy’s new methane plant gets built.

The …