[FormerlyAnotherLurker]

Montana Power's failure was the trigger/cause for a lot of problems.
IMHO the local people got screwed royally.
Some background info;

Montana Resources says it will reopen idled mine - FreeRepublic thread

As Power Prices Surge, Montana, Too, Asks Why - FreeRepublic 2001

Who Killed Montana Power? - 60 Minutes

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Thanks for the LINKS!