By Keila Szpaller, Daily Montanan
Just one group offered praise at a hearing Tuesday on an exhaustive revision to the way regulators evaluate and energy utilities acquire new resources: the utilities themselves, NorthWestern Energy and Montana-Dakota Utilities.
At the Montana Public Service Commission meeting, opponents said it’s no surprise given the lobbying strength of the proponents, and if the revisions take effect, they will cost consumers more money and put them at greater risk. For one, Irion Sanger said Montana won’t be able to adequately compete in the region, and that will have consequences.
“The proposed rules are likely to harm ratepayers,” said Sanger, a lawyer who offered detailed testimony on behalf of the Northwest & Intermountain Power Producers Coalition.
