It could mean big things for the environment while also serving to help increase private oil production in Saskatchewan.

Crown Investment Corporation officials say it could be just a matter of months until the government of Montana and the province reach an initial agreement on North America's first major carbon-capture project. Utilizing carbon sequestration technology pioneered at the University of Regina, it would see greenhouse gases produced by both region's coal-burning power plants sunk into oil fields. Not only does that prevent them from damaging the atmosphere, it can also help private oil producers extract hard-to-reach oil deposits.

"The premier was recently in Montana and met with the governor," says Mike Woods with Crown Investment Corporation. "They're very interested in developing a partnership so now we're looking for federal government participation and the governor is also doing the same in the U.S."

Governor Brian Schweitzer has aked for $100 million of funding from the U.S. economic stimulus package in order to make the joint venture happen.