The Colstrip Steam Electric Station A bill that would have allowed Montana’s largest electric utility to recover costs and a rate of return from its customers for coal-fired power generation was tabled in committee Wednesday. Senate Bill 379 from Republican Sen. Steve Fitzpatrick of Great Falls has drawn heated testimony from supporters who say it would ensure NorthWestern Energy customers a reliable source of power from Colstrip and opponents who say customers would be saddled with costs the utility never spent. The policy passed through the Senate earlier this month but was tabled in the House Energy, Technology and Federal Relations Committee on a 11-1 vote Wednesday.