Montana Public Service Commission

Like other electric utilities in the U.S. west, NorthWestern Energy staff says insurance costs are increasing.

Montana electric utility regulators are holding hearings this week to consider an increase to NorthWestern Energy customer fees.

NorthWestern Energy updates its 20-year plan for meeting customer needs every three years and is soon due to submit the document to Montana regulators

Unofficial election results show Ann Bukacek received 56% of votes over Democrat John Repke, who received 43%. As of 6 p.m. Wednesday about 85% of votes have been counted.

For around $110,000 a year, Montana Public Service commissioners take on a four-year commitment to balance company interests with the needs of the customers the utilities serve.

The South Dakota and Nebraska subsidiary will become NorthWestern Energy Prairies Corporation, and the Montana subsidiary will keep the name NorthWestern Corporation. Both will fall under a new holding company, NorthWestern Energy Group.

A letter sent to lawmakers, media outlets and others last week from two members of the Montana Public Service Commission cites a “probable lack of energy leading to ‘rolling blackouts’ in eastern Montana this summer" as one reason for state leaders to back the Colstrip coal-fired power plant.

Annie Bukacek has a thin lead over former state Rep. Derek Skees for the Public Service Commission District 5 seat.

There is a Republican primary in District 1, which includes most of north-central and northeast Montana, and Republican and Democratic primaries in District 5, which covers part of the northwest part of the state.

The district represents counties near the Continental Divide in northwest Montana. It’s one of two district seats on the ballot this year.