The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has approved the contract between the Crow Tribe and Australian-American Energy Co. LLC. The BIA must formally approve the contract. This does not replace the permitting process and the Many Stars project must receive permits before construction can begin.
The Crow Tribe and Australian-American Energy Co. announced the Many Stars Coal-To-Liquid project in 2008. Under the agreement, Australian-American Energy Co. will engineer, construct and operate the plant and the Crow Tribe will provide the site and the coal reserves.
The Many Stars project will convert 14,000,000 tons per year of coal and produce 50,000 bpd of liquid fuel. The project is estimated to cost $7.4 billion. Construction is planned to begin in 2012 and plant start up is scheuduled for 2016.
July 19th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Hello to everyone. I am from Montana, and i can tell you that nearly all Montanans, not out of staters who have moved there and call themselves Montanans, want to see this project get off the ground. But alot of us are asking ourselves on websites throughout the state, do we really feel that It will ever get built? alot of us visit the many stars website and keep track of what is going on, but 7 Billion to get this built, is still 7 billion! and with financing tighter than a hot dipped galvanized nail in a treated 4×4, we are not all that sure. Anyone have any ideas?
Sincerely
Ed
July 19th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Bigskyguy,
Yes, $7 billion seems like a lot of money, but the success of financing all depends on the project economics and the willingness of investors to support the project. If financing is difficult to achieve in the current market, the project owners and developers may choose to scale down the project. The technology is proven and the the technology is green. See the comparison of coal gasification emissions to refinery emissions.
July 21st, 2009 at 4:28 pm
I agree with everything you are saying. And I also know that the Technology is proven. I work in the Energy field myself. Hard Hat, Union Blue collar guy and my wife is what I call pretty high up with Basin Electric. I have been wondering this. If the powers that be, sold bonds for this project, and offered them to the citizens of MT 1st?I feel they would sell alot, and then offer them to people everywhere.
But with all that being said, I am not so sure if they will pull this off. Also have you heard about the Conoco Phillips Refinery In Billings MT? they are set, according to what I have read online to finally do there large expansion project to handle heavy crude shipped down from the Tar Sands in Canada. I will tell you this, no matter what happens, this country needs energy from all areas. Wind, solar, coal, oil natural gas etc. So many want cheap fuel, but it is has been the expereience of me and my wife from working all over the world, most people who live in cities and in the Burbs in the US, say not in my back yard. I say ok, run up there rates on all, energy used. Want to get there attention? jack it up, and keep, it up. Dont drop the price. Take my word, the same folks who said not in my back yard? would beg you, they would beg you to do it, in there backyard! lol.
Ed
July 21st, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Ed,
You make some good points. We hope the Many Stars project moves forward and wish ConocoPhillips well with their plans for the Billings Refinery. And, yes, high energy prices may be what is needed in this country. Thanks!