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NorthWestern Energy informed the Public Service Commission Tuesday it is withdrawing its request for regulatory preapproval to build a new natural gas-fired power plant in Laurel. It will get construction started saying in a press release in order to accelerate the commercial operation date of the Laurel Generating Station and to take full advantage of…
The Office of Consumer Counsel told the Public Service Commission Tuesday NorthWestern Energy customers have been paying too much for power since July. It asked the utility regulators to dismiss the case that led to a rate hike because it changed the base rates NorthWestern agreed to in its last general rate case less than…
A lawsuit challenging the state’s pre-approval statute can proceed following Missoula District Court Judge Jason Marks’ ruling denying NorthWestern Energy’s motion filed with support from Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen and the Montana Public Service Commission to dismiss the lawsuit. At issue is the constitutionality of the state’s pre-approval statute, which allows a utility company…
NorthWestern Energy residential rates are expected to rise about $22.20 a year beginning in October as the utility attempts to recover unexpected costs from the previous rate year. This rate increase follows a July rate increase of $26.40 a year for an average residential customer. The 12-month rate increase requested August 31st would take hold…
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has released the air quality permit for NorthWestern Energy’s proposed generating station in Laurel with constriction estimated to begin in April 2022 with about 12 months to construct. It will contain 18 9.7 megawatt electrical reciprocating internal combustion engines an emergency back-up diesel fired engine generator set a fire…
NorthWestern Energy has entered a power purchase agreement with Apex Solar LLC. For 80 megawatts of generation from a solar facility being developed in Beaverhead County near Dillon. The facility is required to begin delivery of generation in November 2022. When it comes online NorthWestern Energy expects to have 177 megawatts of solar generation serving…
NorthWestern Energy filed details with the Montana Public Service Commission this week about new power resources including consumer costs of a proposed gas-fired power plant in Laurel. NorthWestern says the facility would add nearly $80 a year to the average residential power bill. The 7.6% increase equals about $6.64 per month for a residential customer…
After 20 years Northwestern Energy is replacing its electric meters for its customers across the Treasure State and the upgraded meters will offer improved remote readings at no extra cost. The new meters will provide faster connections. Butte and Whitehall should be completed by the end of the year and then NorthWestern will move on…
Members of the House Energy Committee tabled Senate Bill 379 Wednesday which was intended to shield NorthWestern Energy from future financial losses associated with the Colstrip Power Plant. Only one House committee member supported the bill which had cleared the Senate on mostly party lines. House Lawmakers could revive it though by blasting it out…
NorthWestern Energy will build a $250 million 175-megawatt gas fired power plant in Laurel as part of a plan to add 325 megawatts of dispatchable power to its Montana portfolio. It will include a 50-megawatt battery storage project and a five-year agreement to buy 100 megawatts of hydropower. Montana State University College students as part…
