Listening Sessions Concluded on NWE's Long-Term Plan

Montana Public Service Commission Concludes Public Listening Sessions on NorthWestern Energy's Long-Term Power Plan

 

HELENA, MT -- The Montana Public Service Commission hosted two public listening sessions this week on NorthWestern Energy's 2026 Integrated Resource Plan, held July 21st and July 23rd in Helena. Both streamed live online; those unable to attend could comment in writing, by email, phone, or video.

 

NorthWestern Energy filed the plan with the Commission on April 27, 2026, under Docket No. 2026.04.026, consolidated with Docket No. 2025.05.038.

 

What is an Integrated Resource Plan?

Montana law requires NorthWestern Energy to file this type of plan at least every three years. It looks ahead 20 years, projecting customer electricity needs and analyzing the resource mix the company believes would meet that demand most reliably and affordably.

 

How the Commission reviews the plan

State law sets the review process:

  • The public must be given at least 60 days to comment on the plan. For this docket, that period closes July 28, 2026.
  • The Commission must hold at least two public meetings to receive comment, which it has now completed.
  • Within 120 days of receiving a complete plan, the Commission must review it, considering the comments gathered during the sessions and in writing.
  • Based on its review, the Commission may identify concerns and recommend, in writing, how NorthWestern Energy should address them.

 

To support its technical review, the Commission's Department of Public Service Regulation retained GDS Associates, an independent utility engineering and consulting firm, through a competitive bid process recommended by DPSR staff, to provide independent analysis of the plan.

 

Other reviewers include the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, which examines resource needs, alternatives, and environmental effects, and the Montana Consumer Counsel, which represents ratepayers.

The Commission's comments raise concerns, but are not final decisions

 

By statute, the Commission may return the plan to NorthWestern Energy if it is missing information required by Commission rule. Beyond that, this docket does not end in a vote on any specific resource -- Montana law calls for a Commission vote only on whether the plan meets minimum filing requirements. Unlike a rate case, there is no final order on the plan's substance; the Commission's written comments provide feedback, rather than mandates, under current law. 

 

However the commission’s comments do have teeth in the respect, if NorthWestern Energy later seeks cost recovery for a specific resource, the Commission can decline recovery of imprudent costs, in light of concerns raised through this process. 

PSC President Jeffery Welborn stated: "We want Montanans to know their input matters. In turn, our comments to NorthWestern are constructive criticism designed to protect both the public interest, and NorthWestern, from the consequences of incomplete or inadequate resource planning. That's the role the Commission is tasked with. by way of law, and we take it seriously."

 

Written comments are still being accepted

Written comments on the 2026 IRP will be accepted through July 28, 2026:

  • By email to pschelp@mt.gov
  • By phone to (800) 646-6150
  • Online through the Commission's REDDI portal at psc.mt.gov
  • By mail to 1701 Prospect Avenue, P.O. Box 202601, Helena, MT 59620-2601

 

The full plan and related filings are on the Commission's REDDI portal under Docket 2026.04.026; recordings of both listening sessions are posted to the Commission's YouTube channel, linked from psc.mt.gov.

 

The Commission regulates private investor-owned natural gas, electric, telephone, water, and sewer companies, certain motor carriers, and oversees natural gas pipeline safety and intrastate railroad safety. The Commission works to ensure that Montanans receive safe and reliable service from regulated public utilities while paying reasonable rates.

For more information, visit psc.mt.gov or contact the Commission at 1-800-646-6150.  Follow the Commission at Twitter.com/@MT_PSC or visit Facebook.com/MontanaPSC.

 

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