Montana Utility Joins Power Market Saving West $9 Billion

Montana is about to make electricity cheaper and more reliable for its residents, thanks to a smart new way utilities are working together across the West.

BHE Montana, a Great Falls-based energy provider, just committed to joining the Extended Day-Ahead Market (EDAM) in 2028. This voluntary marketplace helps power companies across the Western United States plan their electricity needs one day in advance, finding the cheapest and cleanest sources available across the entire region.

Think of it like carpooling for electricity. Instead of each utility scrambling to meet its own needs independently, EDAM lets them coordinate and share resources efficiently across state lines.

"EDAM builds on that foundation by extending those efficiencies into the day-ahead timeframe, creating additional opportunities to access lower-cost resources, better manage system conditions, and support reliable electric service for Montana customers," said Ed Rihn, CEO of BHE Montana.

The results speak for themselves. Since launching in May 2026, EDAM has already delivered $11.38 million in savings during just its first two months of operation.

But the real story is even bigger. EDAM builds on an earlier program called the Western Energy Imbalance Market, which has saved customers a staggering $9.08 billion since 2014. In just the second quarter of 2026 alone, that program delivered $459.7 million in benefits.

The Ripple Effect

The impact reaches far beyond lower electricity bills. By coordinating across a larger network, utilities can make smarter use of existing transmission lines without building costly new infrastructure.

The system has also strengthened regional reliability dramatically. California has added about 36,000 megawatts of new grid resources since 2020, including more than 17,000 megawatts of battery storage. That's enough to power millions of homes and has helped the entire Western grid handle record-breaking summer demand.

The market design is intentionally flexible and welcoming. Entry costs are minimized, there are no exit fees, and the system works with different state environmental programs. Federal regulators have already approved the framework.

Portland General Electric will start trading in the market this October, and more utilities are eyeing membership. The growing network means even greater savings and reliability for customers across the West.

Montana families and businesses can look forward to lower energy costs and a more reliable grid, all while supporting the transition to cleaner power sources.