PSC Hearings
2024
21 March 2024
Montana Public Service Commission Hearing to Consider Climate Impacts
Monday, April 8th at 9 am
PSC Bollinger Conference Room: 1701 Prospect Ave, Helena
Background:
On February 28th, a group of over 40 Montana businesses and organizations filed a formal rulemaking petition to the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) requesting the agency consider climate impacts in its regulation of Montana gas and electric utilities. This petition asks the PSC to abide by Montanans’ Constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment which includes the right to a stable climate. With broad oversight authority over Montana utilities, the PSC makes decisions that can either promote or discourage continued utility investment in fossil-fuel infrastructure. Thus, the PSC has the most consequential role of any decision-making body in the state in determining Montana’s impact on the climate. Montana statute allocates up to 60 days for the PSC to either begin rulemaking procedures or deny the petition in writing.
Meeting Information
The PSC is holding a public hearing on Monday, April 8th, at 9 am to gather input from members of the public on this matter. Each person will likely be limited to between 2 and 3 minutes for their comments as determined by the PSC on the morning of the hearing. The hearing will take place in the PSC's Bollinger Conference Room in Helena (1701 Prospect Ave). There will also be a Zoom component. To comment remotely, you will need to email [email protected] or call 1-800-646-6150 by 4:30 pm on Friday, April 5th to receive virtual meeting information. Written comments on this petition will be accepted through April 12th. Participation at the hearing will be most impactful (particularly in-person), but written comments are also helpful. Those who comment at the meeting are encouraged to also submit their comments in writing. Email written comments to [email protected] with “Docket 2024.03.028” in the subject line.
Talking Points and References
Montana Public Service Commission Hearing to Consider Climate Impacts
Monday, April 8th at 9 am
PSC Bollinger Conference Room: 1701 Prospect Ave, Helena
Background:
On February 28th, a group of over 40 Montana businesses and organizations filed a formal rulemaking petition to the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) requesting the agency consider climate impacts in its regulation of Montana gas and electric utilities. This petition asks the PSC to abide by Montanans’ Constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment which includes the right to a stable climate. With broad oversight authority over Montana utilities, the PSC makes decisions that can either promote or discourage continued utility investment in fossil-fuel infrastructure. Thus, the PSC has the most consequential role of any decision-making body in the state in determining Montana’s impact on the climate. Montana statute allocates up to 60 days for the PSC to either begin rulemaking procedures or deny the petition in writing.
Meeting Information
The PSC is holding a public hearing on Monday, April 8th, at 9 am to gather input from members of the public on this matter. Each person will likely be limited to between 2 and 3 minutes for their comments as determined by the PSC on the morning of the hearing. The hearing will take place in the PSC's Bollinger Conference Room in Helena (1701 Prospect Ave). There will also be a Zoom component. To comment remotely, you will need to email [email protected] or call 1-800-646-6150 by 4:30 pm on Friday, April 5th to receive virtual meeting information. Written comments on this petition will be accepted through April 12th. Participation at the hearing will be most impactful (particularly in-person), but written comments are also helpful. Those who comment at the meeting are encouraged to also submit their comments in writing. Email written comments to [email protected] with “Docket 2024.03.028” in the subject line.
Talking Points and References
- The Petition and Press Release are on the Western Environmental Law Center’s website.
- It is the PSC’s constitutional obligation to protect and improve a clean and healthful climate for present and future generations. This summer’s district court ruling in Held v. State of Montana only affirmed this fundamental right that has been guaranteed for decades.
- With direct regulatory oversight of monopoly utilities such as NorthWestern Energy, whose fossil fuel infrastructure drives Montana’s climate-altering pollution, the elected PSC has the potential to be the most impactful body in the state to mitigate the climate crisis.
- Other state utility commissions and government entities consider public health, environmental, and economic risks and costs associated with climate change. The PSC must do the same.
- The PSC’s decisions must incorporate equity to protect vulnerable populations in underserved communities that are most severely impacted by climate change.
- The PSC must consider the economic, social, and environmental implications its decisions have on the climate, incorporating the federally recommended Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases into the regulation of Montana gas and electric utilities.
- Carbon-free wind and solar energy are more cost-effective than fossil fuel sources and can support a reliable grid when integrated with storage and regional power sharing.
- The legislature has granted the PSC broad rulemaking authority to implement its duties, such as considering climate risk.
2023
14 April 2023
Opponents say NorthWestern is a company ‘in distress,’ while Pinocci concerned about rate shock
Opponents say NorthWestern is a company ‘in distress,’ while Pinocci concerned about rate shock
07 April 2023
Rich [Liebert] wanted to remind people of an opportunity to let the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) know what you think of NorthWestern Energy’s proposal to increase energy rates by 18%. https://psc.mt.gov/ Phone number is (406) 444-6199 or email: [email protected]. The Docket number is 2022.07.078 and the hearing date is April 11th. Rich has signed up to speak via Zoom. Katie Sheard, Regulatory Compliance Specialist can help people sign up for the Zoom meeting. Ms Sheard can be contacted at 1-800-646-6150.
Rich [Liebert] wanted to remind people of an opportunity to let the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) know what you think of NorthWestern Energy’s proposal to increase energy rates by 18%. https://psc.mt.gov/ Phone number is (406) 444-6199 or email: [email protected]. The Docket number is 2022.07.078 and the hearing date is April 11th. Rich has signed up to speak via Zoom. Katie Sheard, Regulatory Compliance Specialist can help people sign up for the Zoom meeting. Ms Sheard can be contacted at 1-800-646-6150.
2020
Should Northwestern Energy buy more of Colstrip?
UPDATE:
Oct. 22, 2020 - According to MEIC, the PSC has CANCELED the final public listening session on 10/27/2020.
The PSC has indefinitely postponed (cancelled) the last public listening session on October 27th regarding NorthWestern's Application to purchase a larger share of Colstrip Unit 4; however, you still have time to speak up!
The PSC stated that the reason for the postponement is due to recent developments in Washington state that have made the deal uncertain. If and when the hearing is rescheduled, we will make sure to inform you of the time and place. However, the public hearing postponement does not mean that the fight is over.
Please take a few minutes and let the PSC know how you feel about NorthWestern's proposal.
You can still submit written comments to the PSC by emailing them to [email protected] (although this email address failed to work earlier this week it is now working again). You can find a fact sheet here detailing our expert analysis of this proposal, and links to the complete expert testimonies submitted by MEIC and the Montana Consumer Counsel at meic.org/Colstrip.
Speak up now or you could be forced to pay more for last century’s dirty old coal plant!
Anne Hedges
MEIC
UPDATE:
Oct. 22, 2020 - According to MEIC, the PSC has CANCELED the final public listening session on 10/27/2020.
The PSC has indefinitely postponed (cancelled) the last public listening session on October 27th regarding NorthWestern's Application to purchase a larger share of Colstrip Unit 4; however, you still have time to speak up!
The PSC stated that the reason for the postponement is due to recent developments in Washington state that have made the deal uncertain. If and when the hearing is rescheduled, we will make sure to inform you of the time and place. However, the public hearing postponement does not mean that the fight is over.
Please take a few minutes and let the PSC know how you feel about NorthWestern's proposal.
You can still submit written comments to the PSC by emailing them to [email protected] (although this email address failed to work earlier this week it is now working again). You can find a fact sheet here detailing our expert analysis of this proposal, and links to the complete expert testimonies submitted by MEIC and the Montana Consumer Counsel at meic.org/Colstrip.
Speak up now or you could be forced to pay more for last century’s dirty old coal plant!
Anne Hedges
MEIC
