April 14, 2021
HELENA, Mont. - Most Montanans are opposed to a bill that would allow NorthWestern Energy to buy greater shares in units at the Colstrip power plant, according to a new survey.
Commissioned by Montana Conservation Voters Education Fund, the poll found 61% of respondents are against Senate Bill 379, which would reduce the Public Service Commission's role in regulating the monopoly utility's purchase and could pass on costs of more than $700 to each ratepayer per year.
"Legislative committees can put all the fig leaves they want on it," said Richard Liebert, a ranch owner in Great Falls, "but it still doesn't change the way NorthWestern Energy is bullying its way past ratepayers and the taxpayers."