TAKE ACTION: Stand up for clean, affordable energy!

NorthWestern Energy wants to raise our electric rates—AGAIN!

That’s right: NorthWestern Energy is asking for another 20.2% rate increase on top of the 28% hike they already implemented in October 2023.

We're standing up to tell them NO to expensive, polluting energy.

Why? NorthWestern Energy is doubling down on dirty, expensive, and risky energy sources (like the Colstrip power plant and the Yellowstone County Generating Station gas plant) - and they want us, the ratepayers, to pick up the tab. Instead of investing in clean, affordable energy that would protect Montana families and our climate, they’re sticking us with higher bills to pay for polluting, outdated power.

Here’s the background:

In July 2024, NorthWestern Energy filed a rate increase application with the Public Service Commission (PSC). The original filing asked for a 26% increase to residential electricity base rates. This is after NorthWestern increased residential electric rates by 28% in October 2023. The recent increase request included over $2.3 billion in lifetime costs for its Yellowstone County Generation Station (YCGS) near Laurel, a 10.8% return on equity (ROE), and a blank check for investments into the dirty and unreliable Colstrip coal plant that could well exceed $2 billion (in addition to $11.6 million in recent investments in the plant). “A big piece of NorthWestern’s overall rate increase is tied to the $300 million  175-megawatt gas plant near Laurel that NorthWestern fired up last fall. The rates NorthWestern proposed last year — and adopted Friday — were based on an assumption that all 18 units of the plant would be operational, and that hasn’t been the case.” (Montana Free Press, 2025). If NorthWestern gets its way, the average residential customer will be on the hook for as much as $128.77 annually just to pay for the YCGS gas plant.

Here’s how you can get involved

  • Tuesday, June 3 at 6pm | Goodworks Place, Missoula
     Join Montana Sierra Club for a community gathering on the impacts of this rate hike—from your electric bill to our climate future. Reclaiming Power: A Panel Discussion on Energy, Equity, and Accountability. Register Here >>

  • Wednesday, June 4th at 6:30-8:00pm | Online Join the Montana Sierra Club for a Zoom Huddle to Stop NorthWestern Energy's Proposed Electric Bill Hike. Register Here >>

  • Monday, June 9th at Noon | Rally at the PSC Office, Helena

    Let’s show up strong! Sign up here for bus and carpool options. Details Here >>

  • Thursday, June 12th at 6:30-8:00pm | Online

    Join the Montana Sierra Club for a Zoom Huddle to Stop NorthWestern Energy's Proposed Electric Bill Hike. Register Here >>

  • Friday, June 13th at 8:00am | PSC Office, Helena

    Testify with FLC, virtually or in person at the PSC office in Helena! Join other Montana families to testify together that our children deserve affordable, clean energy! Reach out to Michael Hudson for help preparing your testimony, and for carpool options from Missoula.

  • June 9th–20th | Public Service Commission Hearings
     Public comment starts at 9am on June 9 (and 8am each day after). Show up in person or virtually to make your voice heard! (see more details below)

  • ✍️ Want to write a Letter to the Editor or an Op-Ed about how this impacts your family? Let us know—we can help!

Questions? Reach out to director@livableclimate.org!

How to Testify

What: Montana PSC Hearing on NorthWestern Energy Rate Case

When: June 9th, 2025, beginning at 9:00 a.m. The hearing will continue day-to-day, as necessary, through June 20th, 2025 (but will likely end early)

Where: Montana Public Service Commission (Bollinger Hearing Room) 1701 Prospect Avenue, Helena, MT 59601

Live participation at the hearing will be most impactful (particularly in-person), but written comments are also helpful. Each person will likely be limited to between 2 and 3 minutes for their comments as determined by the PSC on the morning of the hearing. Public commenters are encouraged to sign up for comments in advance by emailing pschelp@mt.gov or by calling (800) 646-6150. Written comments may be sent via mail to 1701 Prospect Avenue, P.O. Box 202601, Helena, MT 59620, or emailed to pschelp@mt.gov (include Docket # 2024.05.053 in the subject line).

You can also submit comments electronically through the PSC portal: Go to psc.mt.gov, scroll down until you see the box with the heading "REDDI - Customer Portal And E-Filing" and click on "submit a public comment in a docket" on the lefthand side, under "guests." Then log in or continue as guest. From there, click the “+” on the lefthand sidebar and select New: Public Comment. A comment form pops up. This is the docket number to fill in at the top: 2024.05.053.

The hearing will take place in the PSC's Bollinger Conference Room in Helena (1701 Prospect Ave). There will also be a Zoom component. To comment remotely, you will need to email pschelp@mt.gov or call 1–800–646-6150 by 4:30 pm the day before you plan to testify to receive virtual meeting information.

Take Action, Urgent ActionCaitlyn LewisUrgent Action