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Missoula city and county unanimously approve lead‑community agreement for Green Power Program
Summary
Missoula City Council and Missoula County Commissioners unanimously approved lead‑community agreements with Northwestern Energy to pursue a voluntary Green Power Program, a step staff say could bring the community roughly 10% closer to its 100% clean electricity goal; the proposal will be filed with the Public Service Commission, likely by Sept. 15.
Mayor Davis opened the joint presentation and said the agreement marks a significant milestone in a multi‑year effort to expand in‑state renewable energy.
"This is a significant milestone," Mayor Davis said, introducing staff and Northwestern Energy representatives. Anne Geiger, who supervises the city's climate and sustainability team, explained the lead‑community agreement (LCA) would formalize roles for the city, county and Northwestern Energy to file a Green Power Program (GPP) with the Montana Public Service Commission and shepherd an RFP to select a new renewable resource. "The LCA outlines the roles and responsibilities of each lead community and Northwestern to work together to bring the GPP to the Public Service Commission," Geiger said.
Staff described the program as voluntary and opt‑in, with subscribers paying their share of a selected renewable resource over time and receiving a bill credit for the market value of the energy. Spain Newman said the resource could be sized up to "50 megawatts" and would be selected through a jointly managed RFP process. Early modeling presented by staff indicated the community could move about 10% closer to its 100% clean electricity target through participation.
Councilors who asked about who will bear costs were told initial major subscribers will be the lead communities — Missoula city, Missoula County and Bozeman — with the goal of recruiting commercial and residential customers later. Councilor Campbell said he understood "major stakeholders" would initially be government entities; staff confirmed that local governments would be among primary initial subscribers.
After public comment and parliamentary debate — which included praise for staff persistence and caveats about equity and cost exposure — Councilor Kraske moved to authorize the mayor to sign the LCA on behalf of the city; the motion passed on a unanimous roll‑call vote. Commissioner Dave Strohmeyer moved the county motion, which also passed unanimously.
Next steps identified by staff include filing the GPP with the PSC (staff said they were working toward a filing around Sept. 15), recruitment of subscribers and a competitive RFP process that staff estimated could run in late 2027 to select a renewable energy facility; subscription agreements and firm financial commitments were described as likely in 2028. Staff emphasized several off‑ramps remain before final purchases are made.
