MONTANA NEWS | UTILITIES & CONSUMER COSTS | October 14, 2026
By Steven Bullcoming Haworth | Truth in Focus
MONTANA — Some Montana electricity customers are receiving a reduction in their electric supply rates following an adjustment announced by NorthWestern Energy effective October 1.
According to the utility, a typical residential customer using 750 kilowatt-hours of electricity monthly could see an estimated bill reduction of $8.57, or approximately 6.58%.
The reduction applies to the electricity supply component of the bill. The delivery rate is not changing, and other charges, including state and local taxes, remain part of the customer’s overall electricity expense. Actual savings depend on usage and billing circumstances.
A Continuing Household Expense
The announcement comes as households prepare for colder weather and the additional costs associated with heating their homes. For rural Montana residents, utility bills represent another expense alongside groceries, gasoline, housing and transportation.
The NorthWestern Energy adjustment does not apply to every electricity customer in Montana. Residents served by another utility or electric cooperative should consult their own provider for applicable rates.
The local supply-rate reduction also should not be confused with national inflation data. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that electricity prices nationwide were 4.4% higher in September than a year earlier. National annual price trends and a specific Montana utility’s October rate adjustment measure different things.
The utility says the electric supply rate and applicable state and local tax adjustments are next scheduled for January 1, 2027. Consumers can review their monthly bills and contact their provider if they have questions about rate changes or available assistance.
Sources: NorthWestern Energy — Montana Electric Bill Rates; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, September 2026 CPI.
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