Pacific Steel and Recycling sent a letter to the city of Great Falls announcing plans to terminate its contract with ECP.

The letter didn't specify a reason, but Mr Jeff Milhollin CEO & president of Pacific Steel said that the company made the decision because the Highwood Generating Station switched from coal powered to gas powered.

According to its contract with ECP, Pacific will still be the city's customer until October 2012. Come next year, the company is planning to get its power from NorthWestern Energy.

He said that "We've confirmed the letter is now under legal review by the city. So far, seven of the city's customers have sent letters announcing plans to terminate their contracts with ECP. Another two didn’t renew contracts this summer."

The utility arm is more than USD 5 million in debt and in litigation with Southern Montana Electric, ECP's wholesale electricity supplier, to get out of its contract.

(Sourced from www.kfbb.com)