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Montanans are paying the price for NorthWestern Energy’s power plays
- In early June 2025, NorthWestern Energy implemented a 17% increase in electricity rates for residential customers in Montana without obtaining prior authorization from the Public Service Commission.
- NorthWestern utilized a 50-year-old law allowing rate increases if the PSC fails to act within nine months, and filed a partial settlement weeks after the deadline to delay the process.
- The rate hike occurred amid rising energy demand, high costs for Montana families, and a U.S. House budget bill that would cut federal clean energy investments.
- NorthWestern seeks to recoup nearly $874 million invested since October 2023 and requests $156.5 million in additional annual base revenue with a 10.8% return on investment.
- Ongoing public hearings started June 9, with protests against the increase emphasizing the need for affordable energy and the pending approval of Montana's Solar Shares Act as a clean energy alternative.
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About 50 people protest NorthWestern Energy’s rate hike as the state utility board starts 2-week hearing
Two weeks after NorthWestern Energy relied upon a little-known, 50-year-old law to raise electricity customers’ rates by 17% without regulators’ approval, the state utility board on Monday opened a two-week hearing to determine how much of the increase will stick.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources9
Leaning Left1Leaning Right0Center8Last UpdatedBias Distribution89% Center
Bias Distribution
- 89% of the sources are Center
89% Center
11%
C 89%
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