HELENA, Mont. — Gov. Greg Gianforte and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality announced DEQ ask to join a Montana Public Service Commission case tied to how NorthWestern Energy would serve large new power users.

The case centered on NorthWestern Energy’s proposed large new load tariff, which covered new or expanding customers with expected electric demand of five megawatts or more. State officials said that included data centers and other high-demand facilities.

Gianforte said the state wanted to welcome employers while making sure existing customers did not end up paying for those new demands.

“Montana is open for business and we welcome employers who want to bring high-paying jobs here,” Gianforte said. “At the same time, we’re making sure large, new power users pay their own way so Montana families aren’t left subsidizing their electric bills. By intervening in this case, DEQ will help the Commission balance growth with fairness for existing customers.”

According to the state, the proposal set minimum contract terms, cost recovery rules and collateral requirements so large new customers would cover the added costs they placed on the system. Officials said that approach was meant to protect families and small businesses as Montana competed for investment and jobs.

DEQ Director Sonja Nowakowski said the agency wanted both faster grid connections and stronger cost protections for current customers.

“Montanans deserve a system where large, new customers can connect to the grid quickly while covering the full incremental costs of serving them,” Nowakowski said. “Our role in this case is to help make sure that happens by protecting legacy customers, supporting economic development and advancing the work of the Governor’s Unleashing American-made Energy Task Force.”

If the PSC granted intervenor status, DEQ said it could submit technical input, file testimony and work with other parties in the case. NorthWestern Energy filed its proposal on March 31, 2026.

The filing included minimum service commitments, billing requirements, collateral and performance assurance rules, and termination cost provisions for qualifying large new loads. For the biggest customers, individual service agreements would also need PSC review and approval.

State officials tied the move to the governor’s energy task force, which was working on ideas to expand affordable and reliable energy while supporting investment and jobs in Montana.

The announcement also pointed to a recent Western Electricity Coordinating Council report projecting electricity demand across the West would rise 20% in the next 10 years. Officials said that same report had projected 9% growth three years earlier.