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PPL Montana: Officials fear more job losses

Butte-Silver Bow County officials, fearing that a mar keting arm for PPL Montana has plans to leave town — and take jobs with it
— have been working at the state level to persuade the company to stay.
However, the company will not say if employees who work for PPL Energy Plus will be transferred elsewhere.

By the Standard Staff

“ I can’t confirm or deny anything at this point,” said Dan McCarthy, director of corporate communications for PPL Corp. “ If
we’re going to make an announce ment, we want to talk to our employees first.”
The Pennsylvania-based company bought Montana Power Co.’s generation assets a few years ago. In late June, PPL had a
reduction of 600 jobs company wide.

“ I can confirm that we’re looking at all positions every where,” McCarthy said.
PPL Energy Plus employ ees are energy traders who buy and sell energy on the open market. Under Montana Power, those
employees worked in Uptown Butte.
It is unknown how many energy traders the firm employs. However, about 52 people work at the PPL building located near
Butte’s Industrial Park south of town. That number includes hydro operations personnel who are not part of the pro posed
transfer.

Kathy Fasso, economic development director for Butte-Silver Bow, confirmed that the county has been try ing to make contact
with PPL to determine if the company is planning to move those Butte-based employees.

“ We want to see if that’s something they are thinking about,” she said, saying the county is reacting to rumors that reached it
about a month ago. “ We want to keep them here.”
In addition, the county has contacted the state, seek ing its help through its eco nomic development agency, to assist in
determining the company’s plans.

— Leslie McCartney,

http://www.mtstandard.com/newslocal/lnews3.html

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