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Councilors press staff on subscription mechanics, annual blocks and municipal exposure
Summary
Councilors asked detailed questions about how residential subscriptions would work, minimum blocks (examples cited: 100 kWh), 12‑month commitments, auto‑renewal and the potential for cities/counties to underwrite unpaid subscription charges during early enrollment windows.
During Q&A, Councilor Campbell and Councilor Ponton pushed staff for clarity on who would shoulder initial costs and how residential participation would operate.
Councilor Campbell asked whether the initial subscription burden would fall mainly on the lead communities (city, county and Bozeman). Staff confirmed those local governments are likely to be primary initial subscribers while staff will pursue recruitment of businesses and residents to spread costs.
Councilor Ponton asked about whether residential subscriptions would be purchased in kilowatt‑hour blocks and whether subscribers must remain committed for 12 months. Spain Newman replied that subscriptions would be "revisited on an annual basis" and gave an example that residential subscribers would sign up in 100 kilowatt‑hour blocks, with annual subscription windows and an effective participation period of January to December. Charlie Lane added that residential subscribers commit to a particular number of blocks for a 12‑month period and that communities could backstop unpaid subscription charges during recruitment windows.
Those answers framed the subscription model as intentionally annual and opt‑in, with staff emphasizing that precise pricing will be known only after the RFP and selection of a resource.
