[USA] Regulators say NorthWestern Energy failed to justify proposed rate hike

On August 22, 2024, regulators indicated that NorthWestern Energy, Montana’s largest electric and gas utility, failed to justify their proposed rate hike. [1] The utility says that the cost to generate power is increasing, which justifies the 8% rate hike. However, the decision is up to the regulators who found major discrepancies that undermine the company’s request. Earlier in August, the Public Service Commission emphasized that it needed more information prior to reviewing the request, but despite having done that, regulators are still dissatisfied. PSC explained that NorthWestern’s failure to explain their reasoning for a rate hike is unusual; this instance met a “higher threshold of deficiency”, so NorthWestern was granted one week to provide additional information.

[1] https://psc.mt.gov/News/Montana-Public-Service-Commission-Finds-NWE-Rate-Application-Again-Fails-to-Meet-Minimum-Filing-Standards