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According to a letter issued on Wednesday by Cascade County, Southern Montana Electric (SME) must halt construction at the Highwood Generating Station site east of Great Falls.

That doesn't mean all the work has to stop, however; the letter states that SME can continue preparation work on the site. The permissible work includes staging construction equipment, building internal roads, leveling terrain and putting up signs, fences and trailers.

SME, which purchased the land to develop the Highwood Generating Station, started construction in late 2008

Last week, the Montana Supreme Court ruled that the county illegally spot-zoned the site, so construction permits acquired by SME are now revoked.

The county's letter indicates that SME intends to petition the MT Supreme Court for a rehearing on the recent decision.