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Montana PSC approves interim rate increase for Northwestern Cut Bank Gas over dissent
Summary
The Montana Public Service Commission approved an interim natural‑gas rate adjustment for Northwestern Cut Bank Gas that staff says reflects higher commodity costs; the motion passed 4–1 with Commissioner Molnar dissenting. Staff estimated a typical residential customer would pay about $8.02 more per month.
The Montana Public Service Commission on April 28 approved an interim rate adjustment for Northwestern Cut Bank Gas, authorizing temporary changes to the natural‑gas commodity rate effective May 1.
Staff analyst Grant Fink told commissioners the March 31 application seeks an interim adjustment to reflect higher natural‑gas commodity costs and prior‑year deferred balances and recommended the commission grant temporary relief. "Staff recommends the commission approve Northwestern Cut Bank Gas' interim rate request," Fink said. Staff estimated a typical residential customer using 65 CCF per month would see a monthly bill increase of about $8.02, or roughly 13.88%.
Commissioners questioned process and timing after the Montana Consumer Council filed to intervene earlier the same day. Staff attorney Theresa Oman said the late intervention does not halt the docket and that intervenors "can ask data requests just as well as staff can ask data requests," and noted that any interim relief can be adjusted in the final order, with refunds and interest required if the commission later finds the interim amounts were excessive.
Commissioner Molnar opposed the motion, saying he preferred to wait for intervenor discovery before allowing interim charges to take effect. "I don't think I can support the motion," Molnar said. "I prefer to know that, if I'm gonna take somebody's money, it's because they have an obligation to pay it." He said he wanted to see intervenor questions answered before committing customers to higher bills, even temporarily.
Commissioner Panucci moved to approve the draft order granting interim rates and to authorize staff to make nonsubstantive edits; Vice President Fielder seconded. The motion passed 4–1, with Molnar dissenting.
The interim order addresses commodity pass‑through and an annual true‑up mechanism the commission approved in 2010; staff said the adjustment is mathematical and reflects costs passed directly to customers rather than changes in company profit or operating costs. The docket will continue with discovery and a final decision that could require refunds if appropriate.
The commission took the vote in public session and then moved the final scheduled item into closed session for personnel matters.
