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Rainbow Dam has been providing energy for just about 100 years, and now it's in the middle of some major renovations.

On Tuesday, Governor Brian Schweitzer checked out the progress at PPL Montana's Rainbow Dam Redevelopment Project.

Schweitzer noted, "There's about $240 million dollars worth of jobs right here in Great Falls, Montana."

One of the PPL Montana crew members told the governor, "We're working hard to do great things for Montana and give them lots of power."

But, according to Governor Schweitzer, lots of power may be an understatement when it comes to the upgrades at Rainbow Dam, telling us, "It will double the capacity from about 35 megawatts to 60 megawatts."

The project won't be complete until 2012, but Schweitzer says he couldn't be happier with the progress, saying he anticipates it'll have a great impact on the entire region, and continue to produce renewable and clean energy for yet another century.

PPL Montana says the site will create several hundred construction jobs and many more once it's up and running - and that's exactly what Governor Schweitzer says he loves to hear: "With all the workers that are included in this, it's a great project for Great Falls and the entire state."

PPL says once the work is complete, the 60-megawatt unit can generate enough electricity to power roughly 45,000 homes.

PPL Montana says the project, which will create wider passages and fewer rotating passages, will also save the lives of area fish.

Click here to learn more about Rainbow Dam at the PPL Montana website.