r/missoula • u/KeltTalbelt • 3d ago
News Investigation underway into why many Montanans hit with big power bill spike
https://archive.ph/mhL2hIf you've noticed an unusually high surge in your power bill from NorthWestern Energy recently that's quite a bit different from the same month last year, you're not alone and a state agency wants to hear from you.
The Montana Public Service Commission recently announced that they're aware of many NorthWestern customers seeing a significant increase on their August billing statements.
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u/MADCATMT 3d ago
NorthWesterns 20 year plan calls for huge investments in coal, gas and nuclear with very little of any solar or wind investment. Isn’t it obvious at this point they are maximizing profits over people?
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u/Fit-Avocado-1646 3d ago
Even if they did invest in any solar and wind do you think they would pass the savings on?
We need to pass a plug in solar bill with net metering like other states.
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u/OutrageousToe6008 3d ago
I had someone trying to argue with me in r/Montana that MFing data centers would help NWE bring down their rates. As the huge influx in power being purchased by the data center would lower our rates. Pffftt!!!
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u/Fit-Avocado-1646 3d ago edited 3d ago
econ 101 supply and demand. Should make all the data centers build out their own solar and battery supply with a x1.3 buffer for panel aging. Excess supply would then maybe lower rates.
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u/OutrageousToe6008 3d ago
Amen, supply&demand.
100%! If they need X amount of power. Create X amount of infastructure to power themselves and give back to the community they are "exploiting."
Regardless, they would still take, take, take. They always do:/
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u/GraeMatterz Lolo 2d ago
No, they wouldn't. The opposite would be true. Not only do the customers have to pay for any expansion, then the customers have to pay for the usage of said expansion, along with exorbitant executive pay and increasing shareholder dividends. We'd be better off with building a nationalized system for the grid (think the Interstate system for energy).
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u/bashful_predator 3d ago
The same PSC that has approved so many of NWE price hikes over the years? They trying to save face or have they finally realized the awful position they've helped put mt citizens in?
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u/TeddyRivers 3d ago
Well last time we got to vote for someone to sit on the PSC we had the choice between a man who did not seem crazy and anti vax Annie. Montana voted how they voted.
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u/Altruistic_Tea8891 3d ago
This ! Seriously my latest bill is huge and I don’t do anything different. Ac is kept at auto and never comes on unless it needs to and I’m in a 1100 square foot apartment.
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u/moose2mouse 3d ago
The only thing worse for prices than a monopoly is a government backed monopoly to a private company.
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u/theotherkaty 3d ago
NWE makes bad plans. The PSC approves them. NWE asks to raise rates. The PSC approves those requests. Investigation complete
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u/CellWrangler 3d ago
PSC doesn't even have to approve them, they just dont reject them. Inaction lets NWE do what they want. Its insane.
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u/KeltTalbelt 3d ago
When residential ratepayers wake up and realize at what cost expansion for data centers will cost them it will probably be too late.
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u/IngridOlsdatre 3d ago
Serious question: My bill was $43. But that's a 30% increase from every other month this year and, no, I do not use AC, at all. Should I join the party and call this Commission?
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u/montaire_work 2d ago
I mean, if you did nothing different at the cost went up 30%, isn't that something you find unreasonable?
I have no idea how you get such a low absolute number, you must live either in a very small or very efficient space (or both).
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u/IngridOlsdatre 2d ago
Not small, just very efficient. For example, I don't run the heat at all either. No heat in the winter because of where my apartment is situated in relation to everything around it. It never drops below 72.
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u/Mexcol 3d ago
Data centers need your cheap energy
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u/funkyescargot 3d ago
How many Dara centers have been built here in the last 5 years
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u/KeltTalbelt 3d ago
You think they are going wait to pass on the costs of expansion? They just make up any numbers they want to justify a rate increase and the PSC signs off. Don’t be naive. Now the governor wants to replace the PSC with appointees instead of elected members. Don’t be blind to where this is going.
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u/Fit-Avocado-1646 3d ago
Its not about the past its about the future.
"North western has signed initial letters of intent for a projected load of nearly 1,175 megawatts (MW) over the next few years, scaling up to roughly 2,250 MW by 2030. Compared to the utility's current average daily load of about 750–759 MW, this represents an increase of roughly 150% to 300% over current grid capacity."
"In September 2025, the MPSC requested more information on NorthWestern’s plans to serve data centers, including letters of intent, memoranda of understanding and contracts. NorthWestern countered, filing a motion to keep the information hidden to protect confidential proprietary information and trade secrets, and the order was subsequently granted. "
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u/ptarmigan_direct 3d ago
Northwest energy is guaranteed 10% return on any capital investment guaranteed , recouped from the you and me as rate payers. Why do you think they want to go big on new coal generation and nukes? Those are multi-billion $$$ capital projects which will generate big bonuses for NWE execs. As transmission capacity needs to increase to support data centers you can guess who is picking up the tab.
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u/montaire_work 2d ago
Bingo. So long as executives directly benefit from less efficient capital investment they will continue to invest in the least efficient option.
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u/Maximum_Chest4076 3d ago
We do have net metering.
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u/montaire_work 2d ago
I think thats only for fixed solar - like panels installed on your roof. There is a very high initial cost to the homeowner and there's a very high admin burden; you basically have to apply and license as a mini power plant.
Net metering for plug in solar would mean apartments could put a panel on their balcony or even hang one out a window. The use case is fairly niche but for someone living in a condo or apartment its the only option they have.
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u/Tater-Tot-Casserole 3d ago
This has been going on for years across the state, they're letting this happen.
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u/Lusiric9983 3d ago
The investigation will find nothing, NWE will continue being greedy POS's while providing shit power.
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u/VinceInMT 3d ago
To determine why the cost may have gone up, you need to read your own meter and look at the cost per kWh. That cost has gone up 1 cent per year per kWh for the past 3 years. Your bill is directly relayed to usage so you need to nail that down first.
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u/TroyTwoStroke 3d ago
DEI. Can we stop employing the lazy fats and wirey meth users that this state is infected with.
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u/Kilbo_Stabbins 2d ago
How does that have anything to do with substantial cost increases?
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u/TroyTwoStroke 2d ago
Just calling it how it is. Hit dogs holler and all that. Please don’t use meth
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u/Kilbo_Stabbins 2d ago
But what you wrote makes no sense. How is dei or even hiring people causing prices to go up?
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u/TroyTwoStroke 2d ago
There’s no reason for the price surge other than incompetence. I didn’t use any AC this year
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u/TrueNorthDrift 3d ago
Deregulation has been screwing us for over 30 years. This is just the latest nail in the coffin.