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.