GLENDIVE — In a packed hearing moved to a Dawson County courtroom last month, Lindsay rancher Scott Eaton approached the podium to argue that a proposed wind farm will lead to serious changes that people are already seeing elsewhere. It was part of a months-long series in Dawson County as as the government gradually inches closer to determining what the future of wind development could look like in the county.

“People are starting to wake up and realize it’s a problem,” Eaton concluded his speech with.

For the first time in the public hearing on proposed zoning meant to restrict wind farms, applause came from the audience. Previous testimony from those who had advocated for the wind farm had been met with silence.

Montana has seen challenges to wind energy before, but nothing like what’

See Full Page