BusinessWednesday, November 11
Montana regulators approve the NorthWestern Energy and Black Hills merger in a 3-2 vote
The Good Day Billings team
The Montana Public Service Commission approved the NorthWestern Energy and Black Hills merger Tuesday in a 3-2 vote, with conditions. The two conditions deal with NorthWestern's newly acquired share of the Colstrip power plant. The utilities would keep their names under a holding company called Bright Horizon Energy.
Three of five commissioners voted to approve the merger
Montana Public Service Commission vote, Nov. 10
3–2
Approve the NorthWestern Energy and Black Hills merger with two added conditions
Yes 3
- FielderVice President
- Bukacek
- BushmanTemporary appointee
No 2
- WelbornPresident
- Pinocci
Sources: KTVH, NonStop Local Montana, KECI
View as table
| Member | Seat | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Jeff Welborn | President | No |
| Jennifer Fielder | Vice President | Yes |
| Annie Bukacek | Yes | |
| Randy Pinocci | No | |
| Kirk Bushman | Temporary appointee | Yes |
Vice President Jennifer Fielder said she was initially skeptical that “bigger is better” but concluded it's a good deal. Commissioner Randy Pinocci, who voted no, said, “If the people are going to believe in you, what they wanted to see was some lower rates – and we just couldn't do that.”
- Already approved: Nebraska, South Dakota and federal regulators
- Next: NorthWestern awaits the PSC's final written order
The merger by the numbers
- $15.4 billion
- value of the merger
- 400,000+
- electric customers NorthWestern serves in Montana
- 1.35 million
- customers Black Hills serves in eight states
- 370 megawatts
- of NorthWestern's Colstrip share in question
Sources: KTVH, NonStop Local Montana, KECI
Commissioners and the public raised two key concerns: whether data center costs could shift to other customers, and whether Montana keeps access to Colstrip power. Fielder said the commission doesn't regulate data centers, and her amendment requires NorthWestern to consider Colstrip generation for average ratepayers.
Sources: Billings Gazette, KTVH, NonStop Local Montana, KECI