Montana PSC Finds NorthWestern Energy Rate Application Fails to Meet Minimum Filing Standards
Earlier today, at its regular business meeting, the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) voted unanimously to approve a Notice of Commission Action finding NorthWestern Energy’s most recent rate adjustment application failed to meet the Commission’s “minimum filing standards.”
On July 10, 2024, NorthWestern filed an application with the PSC to revise its electric and natural gas service rates, service schedules, cost allocation and rate design. The filing, known as a “rate case,” was assigned Docket No.2024.05.053.
All applications for such rate adjustments are subject to the requirements of Montana Administrative Rules 38.5.101 through 38.5.195. Rule 38.5.184 requires the PSC to notify the utility within 30 days of any failure to comply with the minimum rate case filing standards. Today’s Notice of Commission Action identified multiple deficiencies in the NorthWestern rate application.
Specifically, the Commission cited nine “deficiencies that impair reasonable judgements of the merits” of the application; eleven “deficiencies that do not impair reasonable judgement of the merits” of the application; and three additional issues which the Commission identified to ensure compliance with other Commission orders.
As a result of today’s unanimous Commission decision, NorthWestern must file all supplementary testimony and necessary statements, workpapers, and exhibits within two weeks with the Commission’s minimum filing requirements. NorthWestern’s deemed application filing date will be moved from the July 10, 2024 date to a date that corresponds with the date the minimum filing requirements are met.
PSC President James Brown said of today’s Commission action, “As an economic regulator, the PSC requires very specific economic and business data of any monopoly utility applicant that seeks to adjust the rates they charge Montana ratepayers. Compliance with these rules is a minimum standard for the Commission to even consider a rate case. So far, NorthWestern has failed to meet that minimum standard. Therefore, the Commission cannot move forward with considering Northwestern Energy’s combined gas and electric rate case until the company first comes into compliance with Montana law.”
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 http://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 [facebook.com].
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