The City of Missoula, Missoula County and the City of Bozeman have been working with NorthWestern Energy for the past several years to develop the Green Power Program, formerly known as a renewable rate option or a green tariff. The Green Power Program will allow NorthWestern Energy customers to support and benefit from a new source of renewable energy in Montana, such as a new wind or solar farm. Local governments, businesses and residents would then have the option to subscribe to a special rate and receive a portion of their energy supply from this renewable energy source. By subscribing to the program, customers would pay the costs of the new renewable energy source over time and receive the benefits it produces, including the environmental benefits and the clean energy’s economic value on the market. The program is a key strategy to reach our communities’ respective 100% clean electricity goals.
The Missoula County Commissioners and the Missoula City Council adopted the Term Sheet for the Green Power Program during a joint public hearing on December 11, 2023. The Term Sheet was signed by the City of Missoula, Missoula County, City of Bozeman and Northwestern Energy in January 2024. While non-binding, the Term Sheet serves as the framework for how the Green Power Program will work going forward. Following adoption, the City of Missoula, Missoula County, the City of Bozeman, and Northwestern Energy will enter into binding agreements to submit the program to the Public Service Commission for approval.
For more information, please refer to the FAQs on this page and read the Term Sheet.
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