SEPTEMBER 2024
NORTHWESTERN ENERGY’S 2024 RATE CASE NorthWestern Energy Wants to Raise Your Rates… AGAIN NorthWestern Energy has returned to the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) asking for permission to reach into customers’ pockets for another rate increase to prop up its budget-busting and heavily polluting fossil fuel investments. Unfortunately, these increases have resulted in Montana having among the highest electricity rates in the region (and fourth highest energy costs in the country), and still climbing if NorthWestern has its way. NorthWestern Energy is allowed to operate as a monopoly utility in Montana to streamline energy infrastructure in the state. Rather than having 10 competing utilities run power lines down your street, the idea is that this infrastructure is consolidated under one monopoly entity. In exchange, Montanans elect five Public Service Commissioners who are supposed to regulate the monopoly and prevent exploitative practices. Unfortunately, NorthWestern Energy and the PSC have demonstrated a lack of accountability time and time again. As a regulated utility, NorthWestern must submit an application to the PSC whenever the utility wants to raise customers’ rates. This application kicks off a rate case, a months-long PSC review in which anyone can petition to formally intervene, contributing to the case’s record to advocate for various interests. NorthWestern’s last rate case included interveners representing environmental interests, state and federal government agencies, industry groups, energy developers, and specific companies. This information-gathering process typically includes informal opportunities for public participation through a public hearing and comment period.