Today, Montana took yet another step forward in the quest to become a national leader in the production and transmission of wind energy. The Montana Alberta Tie Line is set to begin construction. It's a 214 mile transmission line running from Great falls to Lethbridge.

Those involved say it's a major milestone for wind energy in our state, and will boost the economy as well as create jobs. It's been four years in the making, and now political and energy leaders can finally celebrate the start of construction on the Montana Alberta Tie Line, North America's first inernational merchant power line.

Governor Brian Schweitzer has been a strong advocate of wind energy, since taking office in 2005. He says today's ceremony is a victory for all Montanans.

"Montana was behind nearly every other state in wind power, but now we have the eyes of the world on Montana. People are investing in wind farms and transmission.”

Teton, Glacier, Pondera and Cascade counties will receive property tax revenues from the line, which has a capacity of 300 megawats, enough to power 35,000 homes.

"We surpassed the chicken-egg syndrome,” said Tim Meeks of Western Area Power Administration. “ Trying to get people to build farms without transmission, or trying to get transmission without farms."

The line will run about 214 miles and is expected to provide access to the power grid for close to a billion dollars in wind projects.

"Dozens of companies are building wind farms all over Montana,” Schweitzer said. “It will create thousands of jobs for years to come."

Construction of the project is expected to begin in about a month, and will take about 18 months to complete. The line is scheduled to be in service by 2011.