Montana Cities Launch Statewide Clean Energy Program

Montana is about to join 30 other states offering residents and businesses an easy way to choose clean energy, thanks to a groundbreaking partnership between local governments and their power company.

Missoula, Missoula County, and Bozeman are set to vote Monday on a landmark agreement with NorthWestern Energy to launch Montana's first statewide green power program. The voluntary program will let any NorthWestern customer subscribe to clean energy from a renewable source built right here in Montana.

"I'm just thrilled that we're at this point where we're one step closer to delivering sustainable energy and energy choices to our constituents," said Missoula Mayor Andrea Davis. The three communities have been working on this program since 2018.

Here's how it works: NorthWestern Energy will build and operate a renewable energy facility in Montana, capped at 50 megawatts. That's enough to power about 20,000 homes if it's a wind farm. Local governments, businesses, and residents in participating cities can subscribe to receive their power from this clean source.

The best part? Nobody pays for something they didn't choose. Subscribers cover their share of the renewable project costs over time and receive credits on their bills. Non-subscribers see zero impact on their rates.

The Ripple Effect

This program represents years of community determination paying off for the whole state. Missoula set an ambitious goal back in 2019 to power its urban area with 100% clean electricity by 2030. The community is already 60% of the way there, and this program will add another 10%.

Shannon Anderson, Missoula's energy specialist, says these programs work because they're proven. Commercial and institutional buyers especially love having the option to intentionally choose clean energy, which drives the construction of new renewable projects across the state.

City Council Member Eric Melson captured the spirit perfectly: "This gives people the freedom and the choice. We're not mandating this for anybody, but it does give them the opportunity and the option."

The proposal heads to the Montana Public Service Commission by September 15 for review. If approved, communities will have 180 days to recruit interested customers before the renewable facility gets built.

Montana is catching up to a movement that's already expanding in other states because of its success.