Speaking Up for a Livable Future

Last week, several FLC staff and volunteers attended the Public Service Commission’s (PSC) listening session in Missoula for NorthWestern Energy’s 2023 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP).

The IRP will determine how energy is produced for the majority of our municipalities over the next 20 years. Unfortunately, as it stands now, the plan fails to adequately address the climate crisis and increases Montana's reliance on expensive, polluting fossil fuels.

At the listening session, the PSC faced a room full of Montanans who expressed deep concern about the IRP and asked the PSC to reject the plan and push NorthWestern Energy toward clean and affordable energy. Missoula’s listening session was no outlier; the majority of commenters in other Montana communities where hearings were held (Great Falls, Helena, Billings, and Butte) shared similar opinions - that the current IRP does not work for Montanans.

Montanans want an energy plan that protects our pocketbooks, families, and futures. It is long past time for NorthWestern Energy to acknowledge that, and to follow through on their promise to “deliver a bright future” by transitioning to clean and affordable energy NOW.

Today (August 28) is the FINAL DAY to submit written comments to the PSC about the IRP! Send your written comment to pschelp@mt.gov and include “Regarding docket 2022.11.102” in the subject line. Respectful, personal comments will be the most successful. You can find talking points and data about the IRP at livableclimate.org/take-action.