Montana
Montana Public Service Commission
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State Intelligence
Updated Jun 1, 2026Utility Landscape
NorthWestern Energy
IOULargest Montana IOU serving electric and natural gas customers across much of central, eastern, and western Montana including Great Falls, Billings, Bozeman, Butte, and Missoula
NorthWestern has been active in rate cases and supply-side resource procurement proceedings; the PSC approved a significant electric rate increase in 2023 with ongoing scrutiny of its Integrated Resource Plan and coal asset depreciation schedules. NorthWestern's acquisition of Hydro One's Colstrip Unit 4 stake and long-term coal transition strategy remain central regulatory flashpoints.
Montana-Dakota Utilities (MDU)
IOUNatural gas and electric service in eastern Montana communities including Sidney, Glendive, Miles City, and surrounding Williston Basin-adjacent areas
MDU has pursued incremental natural gas distribution infrastructure riders in Montana; regulatory focus centers on pipeline integrity investment recovery and customer growth in the Bakken-adjacent service territory.
Flathead Electric Cooperative
coopElectric distribution serving Flathead County and surrounding northwest Montana including Kalispell, Whitefish, and Columbia Falls
As a Bonneville Power Administration customer, Flathead Electric's rates are sensitive to BPA wholesale rate adjustments; the cooperative has navigated load growth driven by data center and remote-work-related residential development in the Flathead Valley.
Tongue River Electric Cooperative
coopElectric distribution in southeastern Montana including Ashland, Lame Deer, and portions of Big Horn and Rosebud counties
Tongue River serves a geographically dispersed territory with significant Native American community load; reliability and federal rural electrification funding coordination are ongoing operational priorities.
City of Missoula — Missoula Water
muniMunicipal water utility serving the City of Missoula following the 2021 acquisition from Mountain Water Company
The PSC retains jurisdiction over certain aspects of the former investor-owned water system; post-acquisition integration, PFAS contamination response, and capital investment cost recovery have been primary regulatory concerns since municipalization.
Beartooth Electric Cooperative
coopElectric distribution serving Carbon and Stillwater counties in south-central Montana including Red Lodge and Columbus
Beartooth is a Tri-State Generation and Transmission customer navigating wholesale contract transition pressures as Tri-State members across the region seek greater renewable procurement flexibility and exit rights.
Key Issues
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NorthWestern Energy's next general rate case is anticipated following its 2023 electric rate order; the PSC and intervenors are closely monitoring NorthWestern's capital expenditure forecasts tied to Colstrip Unit 4 operations, transmission build-out, and its ability to demonstrate just and reasonable cost allocations between Montana retail customers and wholesale obligations.
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Colstrip Power Plant coal transition and stranded asset recovery: NorthWestern's partial ownership of Colstrip Units 3 and 4, combined with co-owner decisions and environmental compliance costs, presents a major unresolved question regarding accelerated depreciation, securitization mechanisms, and ratepayer vs. shareholder allocation of retirement costs.
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Renewable energy integration and IRP compliance: NorthWestern's 2023 Integrated Resource Plan identified significant capacity needs; PSC scrutiny of whether proposed new gas peaker resources or contracted renewables plus storage represent the least-cost, least-risk portfolio is ongoing and will shape the next procurement docket.
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Broadband infrastructure and electric cooperative pole attachment rules: Montana PSC and stakeholders are engaged on pole attachment rates and access policies as federal BEAD program funding flows into rural Montana, creating friction between electric cooperatives and broadband providers over make-ready costs and timeline obligations.
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Natural gas distribution infrastructure cost recovery and pipeline safety: MDU and NorthWestern Gas face continued PSC review of infrastructure replacement riders (IRRs) tied to federal pipeline safety mandates; the balance between timely cost recovery and rate impact mitigation for lower-income rural customers is a recurring intervenor concern.
Upcoming
Estimated deadline for NorthWestern Energy to file updated supply-side resource procurement status report with the PSC pursuant to its 2023 IRP compliance schedule; intervenors including Montana Consumer Counsel expected to respond within 30 days.
Estimated PSC open meeting at which commissioners are expected to address pending natural gas infrastructure rider adjustment filings from NorthWestern Gas and MDU for the upcoming rate adjustment cycle; Helena, MT.
Estimated deadline for NorthWestern Energy to submit its next biennial Integrated Resource Plan update or IRP progress report to the PSC, covering capacity additions, demand response program performance, and renewable contract status through 2026.
Estimated PSC technical hearing on pole attachment rate methodology and make-ready cost allocation rules, following anticipated rulemaking petition submissions from Montana broadband providers seeking BEAD-compliant access terms from investor-owned and cooperative utilities.
Commissioner Watch
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Staff
32| Name | Title | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Gary Duncan | Revenue Requirements & Audits | (406) 444-6189 |
| Tina Limesand | Business Manager | (406) 444-6199 |
| Tina Shorten | Regulatory Compliance Supervisor | (406) 444-6380 |
| Joel Tierney | Utilities Engineer/Pipeline Safety Program Manager | (406) 444-6180 |
| Patricia Trooien | Commission Secretary | (406) 444-6012 |
| Laura Vachowski | Attorney | (406) 444-6187 |
| HEATHER CAMPBELL | Assistant Commission Secretary | (406) 444-6199 |
| Mike Dalton | — | (406) 444-6199 |
| Philip English | — | (406) 444-6199 |
| Grant FInk | Rate Analyst | (406) 444-6199 |
| Alexandra Ghosh | Rate Analyst | (406) 444-6182 |
| Haylee Gobert | Utility Rate Analyst | (406) 444-6199 |
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