All articles tagged with #northwestern energy
Black Hills Corp. and NorthWestern Energy are merging in an all-stock, tax-free deal creating a $7.8 billion market cap utility company serving 2.1 million customers across eight states, with the merger expected to enhance efficiency, investment, and energy reliability, pending regulatory approval.
Thousands of customers in western Montana are without power due to a snow storm, with significant outages reported by Missoula Electric Cooperative and Northwestern Energy, particularly in areas like Darby, Stevensville, and Philipsburg.
The Public Service Commission has approved a new rate structure for NorthWestern Energy, Montana's largest monopoly utility, despite opposition from the public. Residential customers will see a 28% increase in bills compared to August 2022, or an 8% increase since the interim rate increase approved last fall. Critics argue that the rate increase will be devastating for many consumers, particularly older Montanans on fixed incomes. The approved rate changes are expected to increase NorthWestern's electricity-related revenue by $82 million and its natural gas revenue by $18 million.
Montana regulators have approved a rate increase of up to 28% for residential and small business customers of NorthWestern Energy, the state's largest monopoly utility. The increase, which has been incrementally rising since August 2022, is attributed to infrastructure investments and taxes. The approval has sparked criticism from customers who argue that residential and small business customers are facing higher rate hikes compared to large businesses. The rate increase does not include the cost of NorthWestern's newly constructed gas-fired power plant, which will be billed separately next year. Other Montana utilities, such as Montana Dakota Utilities, have also recently increased rates.
A judge has canceled the air quality permit for a $250 million natural gas power plant under construction in Montana, citing concerns over climate change. The judge ruled that Montana officials failed to adequately consider the 23 million tons of greenhouse gases that the project would emit over several decades. The plant is being built by NorthWestern Energy and would operate for at least 30 years. The company will appeal the order, saying that the ruling could jeopardize reliable power service.