Gov. Schweitzer: Otter Creek coal could be boon for education in Montana

Gov. Brian Schweitzer says Montana could gain $7 billion over the next three decades from the mining of Otter Creek coal near Ashland, and he wants the Legislature to consider earmarking some of that money for college students in the state and energy research.

Schweitzer told the Bozeman Daily Chronicle this week that a portion of the coal revenue should go toward an energy and science education system that is "second to none." He said about $1 billion could be used to offer free or reduced tuition to Montana high school graduates who go to Montana colleges to study math, science, medicine or engineering. Another $1 billion could be used to create a Montana Institute of Technology in Energy, he said.

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