US EditionMontana PSC Approves Partial Rate Increase for NorthWestern Energy
Montana PSC disallowed $43 million in avoidable overruns but approved recovery of $246 million for NorthWestern's 175-MW gas plant near Laurel, with tentative cost recovery starting next year.
- On Wednesday the Montana Public Service Commission gave tentative authorization to recover costs for the 175-megawatt Yellowstone County Generating Station near Laurel, disallowing some proposals and directing staff to finalize by Dec. 24.
- PSC staff concluded planning and procurement were deficient, noting NorthWestern Energy omitted low-cost battery-plus-engine pairings and failed to document contractor changes or cost increases.
- The commission rejected $43 million of NorthWestern Energy’s original ask, while staff recommended trimming the YCGS rate base to $227.7 million from the $289 million request tied to 16 engines.
- The PSC said its decision will likely lead to lower costs for consumers, noting prior unilateral rate increases by NorthWestern Energy for about 413,000 Montanans.
- The review has lasted about 16 months and included an eight-day hearing in June, with Public Service Commission staff recommending cost recovery plus a 9.65% return on equity and officials warning of continued scrutiny in coming months.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Montana utility board reaches tentative decision on NorthWestern's pitch to incorporate $288 million gas plant into customers' rates
The Montana Public Service Commission signalled its willingness to allow Montana’s largest utility to put the Yellowstone County Generating Station into the electricity rates of the 400,000-plus Montanans it serves.
Montana PSC approves partial rate increase for NorthWestern Energy
After two days of discussion and debate, the Montana Public Service Commission has made its decision on NorthWestern Energys proposals to increase electric and gas rates. In the end, commissioners disallowed some, but not all, of the companys contested proposals for increases.In a statement Wednesday afternoon, the PSC said their decision is likely to lead to lower costs for consumers, as NorthWestern had previously raised rates on its own, base…
Montana PSC approves partial rate increase for NorthWestern Energy
After two days of discussion and debate, the Montana Public Service Commission has made its decision on NorthWestern Energys proposals to increase electric and gas rates. In the end, commissioners disallowed some, but not all, of the companys contested proposals for increases.In a statement Wednesday afternoon, the PSC said their decision is likely to lead to lower costs for consumers, as NorthWestern had previously raised rates on its own, base…
Montana PSC approves partial rate increase for NorthWestern Energy
After two days of discussion and debate, the Montana Public Service Commission has made its decision on NorthWestern Energys proposals to increase electric and gas rates. In the end, commissioners disallowed some, but not all, of the companys contested proposals for increases.In a statement Wednesday afternoon, the PSC said their decision is likely to lead to lower costs for consumers, as NorthWestern had previously raised rates on its own, base…
Montana PSC approves partial rate increase for NorthWestern Energy
After two days of discussion and debate, the Montana Public Service Commission has made its decision on NorthWestern Energys proposals to increase electric and gas rates. In the end, commissioners disallowed some, but not all, of the companys contested proposals for increases.In a statement Wednesday afternoon, the PSC said their decision is likely to lead to lower costs for consumers, as NorthWestern had previously raised rates on its own, base…
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