by Julie Adair, Hamilton
Do you have a barn? Does NorthWestern Energy provide the electricity?
Take a CLOSE look at your bill. Under the Delivery Services section, you will see that the GS-1 Service Charge for your barn account (non-residential) is $22.05; add to that the Delivery Charges, plus the GS-1 Sec Tax Delivery charge. Then look at the Supply Services section: Electric Supply for the kWh used, plus the GS-1 Sec Tax Supply charge. On the July statement covering 06/03/2025-07/07/2025, the GS-1 Service Charge jumped from $6.00 to $22.05, even if you use only 1 kWh. For 1 kWh on my barn account, I pay $22.05 for the GS-1 Service Charge and $0.07 for the 1 kWh Electric Supply.
The increase from $6.00 to $22.05 for the Electric Delivery for a GS-1 (non-demand meter) was a rate increase requested by NorthWestern Energy in 2024 and approved by the Republican-only Public Service Commission in 2026. NorthWestern Energy implemented the rate increase prior to the PSC approval. They knew what the outcome would be.
This is what happens when the Public Service Commission is a rubber stamp for the utilities instead of a watchdog for the public.
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