NorthWestern Energy last week lost for a second time a years-long challenge in federal court that centered on a solar project north of Billings.

The ruling will likely boost the reliability of similar renewable energy efforts nationwide.

NorthWestern’s initial petition to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit asked for a reclassification of the Broadview solar power facility. The government classifies these types of projects as a “small power production facility” and now will require Montana's monopoly utility to buy energy from the $2-billion solar array and battery storage facility that sits 25 miles northwest of Billings.

After NorthWestern lost their first attempt to challenge the classification, the case was appealed to the Supreme Court for review. Howev

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