Nicholas Fitzmaurice: Behind NorthWestern Energy’s rate increase and how to stop it
In a guest column published on March 5, 2023, Nicholas Fitzmaurice wrote:
“On Aug. 8, 2022, NorthWestern Energy filed to increase retail electricity rates by 25%.
“The Montana Public Service Commission (PSC), an elected body charged with reasonably balancing the needs of Montanan ratepayers with utilities’ ability to provide reliable and affordable energy, is accepting public comment on this rate case until April 11. The PSC already approved an interim (and reversible) rate increase of 12.6% in October, costing the average Montanan ratepayer an additional $135 from October 2022 through September 2023 in electricity bills. If approved, the full increase would cost ratepayers $270 annually.
“NorthWestern’s uncompromising commitment to the Colstrip generation plant is inextricably tied to this rate increase, while investments into future natural gas plants will have NorthWestern continuously pushing rates higher.” Read the full article >>