Montana
Montana Public Service Commission
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State Intelligence
Updated May 26, 2026Utility Landscape
NorthWestern Energy
IOUCentral and western Montana electric and natural gas service; largest IOU in the state serving approximately 390,000 customers
NorthWestern has been active with general rate cases and resource procurement proceedings, including disputes over capacity additions and cost recovery for the Colstrip coal plant transition. The MPSC has scrutinized the utility's integrated resource planning and its approach to acquiring new generation resources.
Montana-Dakota Utilities (MDU)
IOUNatural gas distribution in eastern Montana communities including Billings, Miles City, and Glendive
MDU has pursued incremental rate adjustments tied to infrastructure replacement programs under MPSC-approved trackers. Recent focus has been on pipeline integrity spending and leak mitigation cost recovery.
Flathead Electric Cooperative
coopFlathead Valley and surrounding northwest Montana counties including Kalispell and Whitefish
As a Bonneville Power Administration customer-cooperative, Flathead is largely exempt from MPSC retail rate jurisdiction but is subject to state oversight on certain matters; load growth driven by data centers and second-home development is straining distribution infrastructure.
Missoula Electric Cooperative
coopRural areas surrounding Missoula County in western Montana
Focused on grid hardening and wildfire mitigation in a high-risk terrain environment. Has pursued USDA ReConnect and rural electric infrastructure grant funding alongside rate adjustments.
City of Missoula Water Utility
muniMunicipal water service within Missoula city limits and portions of surrounding Missoula County
Subject to MPSC jurisdiction as a municipal water utility; has been involved in proceedings regarding rate structure reform and infrastructure replacement cost recovery driven by aging water main systems.
Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative
coopSoutheastern Montana including areas south and east of Billings extending toward the Wyoming border
Relies on Western Area Power Administration and market purchases; exploring distributed generation interconnection policies and demand response programs to manage peak load in an agriculturally dominated service territory.
Key Issues
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NorthWestern Energy Colstrip Unit 4 cost recovery and transition planning: The MPSC is evaluating how to allocate ongoing fixed costs and potential early retirement costs for Colstrip Unit 4, with intervenors challenging whether continued coal plant investment is prudent given accelerating market and environmental pressures.
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NorthWestern Energy resource adequacy and new generation procurement: Following MPSC scrutiny of the utility's 2023 IRP, a contested docket is active regarding cost recovery for capacity contracts and whether proposed utility-owned gas peakers or battery storage additions meet least-cost planning standards under Montana law.
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Renewable energy integration and transmission constraints: Montana's substantial wind and solar development pipeline faces interconnection queue backlogs on NorthWestern's system and on regional WECC transmission paths; the MPSC is examining whether utility transmission planning adequately supports state renewable portfolio and economic development goals.
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Wildfire mitigation cost recovery: NorthWestern and cooperative utilities are seeking mechanisms to recover escalating vegetation management, grid hardening, and public safety power shutoff program costs, with the MPSC balancing ratepayer affordability against utility liability exposure in a high-fire-risk environment.
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Municipal water utility rate cases and infrastructure investment: The MPSC is overseeing rate proceedings for regulated municipal water utilities including Missoula, where deferred infrastructure replacement costs and EPA-driven lead service line replacement mandates are driving significant capital investment and associated rate increase requests.
Upcoming
Estimated deadline for NorthWestern Energy to file updated testimony or compliance filing in pending general rate case or resource procurement docket; specific date subject to MPSC scheduling order issued in late 2025 proceeding.
Estimated MPSC technical hearing on NorthWestern Energy's Colstrip Unit 4 cost recovery and integrated resource plan compliance; intervenor testimony and cross-examination expected from Montana Consumer Counsel and environmental groups.
Estimated MPSC open meeting at which commissioners are anticipated to act on wildfire mitigation cost recovery tracker or infrastructure surcharge applications filed by NorthWestern Energy in early 2026.
Estimated filing deadline for NorthWestern Energy's next biennial Integrated Resource Plan update, which will be subject to MPSC review and public comment process extending into 2027; plan expected to address capacity gaps post-Colstrip and battery storage procurement strategy.
Commissioner Watch
View all ↗Limited reliable public information is available about Annie Bukacek's specific regulatory background or the precise circumstances of her appointment to the Montana Public Service Commission.
Jennifer Fielder is a former Montana state senator who was appointed to the Montana Public Service Commission, bringing a background in natural resource and public lands policy.
Limited reliable public information is available about Randy Pinocci's specific regulatory background or the detailed circumstances of his appointment to the Montana Public Service Commission.
Jeff Welborn is a veteran Montana Public Service Commissioner who has served on the commission for over a decade and currently holds the role of President, providing institutional leadership on utility regulatory matters.
Brad Molnar is a long-serving Montana Public Service Commissioner and former state legislator who has served multiple terms on the commission, making him one of its most experienced members.
Staff
32| Name | Title | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Gary Duncan | Revenue Requirements & Audits | (406) 444-6189 |
| Tina Limesand | Business Manager | (406) 444-6199 |
| Tina Shorten | Regulatory Compliance Supervisor | (406) 444-6380 |
| Joel Tierney | Utilities Engineer/Pipeline Safety Program Manager | (406) 444-6180 |
| Patricia Trooien | Commission Secretary | (406) 444-6012 |
| Laura Vachowski | Attorney | (406) 444-6187 |
| HEATHER CAMPBELL | Assistant Commission Secretary | (406) 444-6199 |
| Mike Dalton | — | (406) 444-6199 |
| Philip English | — | (406) 444-6199 |
| Grant FInk | Rate Analyst | (406) 444-6199 |
| Alexandra Ghosh | Rate Analyst | (406) 444-6182 |
| Haylee Gobert | Utility Rate Analyst | (406) 444-6199 |
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