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Staff tells PSC it may review but not approve Northwestern's IRP; 2026 plan flags winter 2027 capacity need
Summary
PSC staff summarized statutory limits on integrated resource plan review and said the 2026 Northwestern Energy IRP projects a near-term winter 2027 capacity need but does not commit to new resources; commissioners will accept comments through July 28 and hold a work session in mid-August.
Amanda, a commission staff member, summarized Montana law governing integrated resource plans and emphasized a crucial legal limit: "Montana law does not give the Commission the authority to formally reject the utility's plan," she said, adding the commission's role is to review, comment, publish the plan and hold public meetings.
Amanda told the commission that Northwestern's 2026 IRP "evaluates different potential generation resources" for the next 20 years and notes sufficient capacity today but a near-term winter 2027 capacity gap driven by expiring contracts and rising demand. She said the IRP "does not identify any specific new resources to be added to Northwestern's resource portfolio." The commission will accept written comments through July 28, 2026, and expects a mid-August work session to consider staff's summary of public input.
