Published 2 days ago • loading... • Updated 2 days ago

NorthWestern Energy bills to increase again

Starting July 1, NorthWestern Energy residential electricity bills will average $131, up from $124.34 in May, following the utility's June 3 filing with the Montana Public Service Commission for a quarterly rate adjustment.
Warmer winter temperatures in the West reduced wholesale electricity prices, yet NorthWestern's net variable costs exceeded projections by $97.8 million over the past 10 months as market sales revenue totaled only $17.7 million versus an expected $180.1 million.
The Montana Public Service Commission suspended a cost-sharing tool earlier this year that would have given customers a $9.8 million credit, meaning customers may now be billed for the entire $97.8 million undercollection.
MEIC representative Fitzmaurice argued NorthWestern presented artificially low base costs to "hide how much of an increase it was actually leveling on customers," claiming the new Laurel plant is "way too expensive."
NorthWestern Energy spokesperson Jo Dee Black defended rates as "below the national average electric rate" and noted the Yellowstone County Generation Station improves system reliability, ahead of a PSC annual review later this year.

Insights by Ground AI

11 Articles

ABC FOX Montana

+10 Reposted by 10 other sources

Center

NorthWestern Energy bills to increase again

Your power bill is slated to go up again if you’re a NorthWestern Energy customer. On July 1, the average electricity bill for a residential customer is hitting $131, up from $124.34 in May, according to data from the utility.…

2 days ago·Missoula, United States

Read Full Article

Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/year