Electricity Rates in Montana
Electricity Rates, Plans & Statistics
Can You Save With Wind?
You’ve heard of solar, but did you know that you can power your home and business with wind?
Electricity Companies & Statistics in Montana
- Population see rank1,122,867
- Total Production see rank25,565,262 MWh / 22.77 MWh per capita
- Total Consumption see rank15,524,417 MWh / 13.83 MWh per capita
- Total Production from Renewable see rank12,909,066 MWh / 11.5 MWh per capita
- CO2 Emissions from Consumption see rank7,792,337,641 kg / 6,939.68 kg per capita
- Total Production from Non-Renewable see rank12,656,197 MWh / 11.27 MWh per capita
Average Residential Electricity Bills & Rates in Montana
Montana residential electric rates are highest in June and the highest average bill is in December.
Historical Electricity Rates:
Montana Electricity Fuel Mix
Montana's Electricity Prices and Usage
Consumers in Montana enjoy a lower residential electricity rate than most people around the nation, with an average state electricity rate of 12.60 cents per kilowatt hour compared to the nationwide average price of 16.12 cents. While there are 30 electricity companies operating in the state, citizens often will only have one electricity supplier choice due to the regulated electricity market in place. The power grid in the state deals with an average of 0.24 outages per consumer each year, with outages lasting roughly 214.2 minutes. The US average for outages and outage time frames are 1.27 outages and 137.24 minutes. Electricity companies within the state increased their generation of electricity from wind turbines by 15.09%. With 404,318 total residential customers, NorthWestern Energy is the largest supplier in the state. The state has the 44th highest population in the US, with 1,122,867 citizens residing within its borders.
Residential Electricity Providers in Montana
| Provider | Service Type | Residential Rate (¢) | Residential Average Bill ($) | Residential Sales (MWh) | Residential Revenues ($) | State Production (MWh) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NorthWestern Energy | BUNDLED | 14.42 | 102.16 | 2,754,740.72 | 397,277,367 | 3,766,891.47 |
| Flathead Electric Cooperative | BUNDLED | 9.49 | 114.56 | 904,072 | 85,802,000 | 8,911 |
| Mission Valley Power | BUNDLED | 8.37 | 111.62 | 257,074.07 | 21,521,280 | |
| Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative | BUNDLED | 12.84 | 118.24 | 230,224.12 | 29,572,162 | |
| Missoula Electric Coop | BUNDLED | 10.15 | 109.55 | 188,659.66 | 19,140,100 | |
| Montana Dakota Utilities | BUNDLED | 12.81 | 97.96 | 180,065 | 23,058,000 | 112,430 |
| Vigilante Electric Cooperative | BUNDLED | 8.85 | 122.43 | 162,425.73 | 14,367,412.36 | |
| Ravalli Electric | BUNDLED | 11.06 | 131.32 | 133,874.08 | 14,810,394.4 | |
| Lincoln Electric Cooperative | BUNDLED | 11.24 | 144.62 | 78,478.02 | 8,820,141.91 | |
| Park Electric Coop | BUNDLED | 10.57 | 114.16 | 71,323.81 | 7,539,314.93 |
Commercial Electricity Providers in Montana
| Provider | Service Type | Commercial Rate (¢) | Commercial Average Bill ($) | Commercial Sales (MWh) | Commercial Revenues ($) | State Production (MWh) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NorthWestern Energy | BUNDLED | 13.85 | 454.79 | 3,078,266.96 | 426,212,859 | 3,766,891.47 |
| Flathead Electric Cooperative | BUNDLED | 7.47 | 245.14 | 486,938 | 36,374,000 | 8,911 |
| Montana Dakota Utilities | BUNDLED | 11.47 | 439.78 | 264,797 | 30,381,000 | 112,430 |
| Fergus Electric Cooperative | BUNDLED | 10.61 | 5,918.02 | 163,654.87 | 17,357,556.99 | |
| Mission Valley Power | BUNDLED | 7.73 | 155.17 | 135,672.28 | 10,481,050 | |
| Glacier Electric Coop | BUNDLED | 9.74 | 354.99 | 75,328.87 | 7,338,053.84 | |
| Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative | BUNDLED | 12.60 | 439.03 | 70,679.81 | 8,902,233 | |
| Sheridan Electric Cooperative | BUNDLED | 17.06 | 1,049.88 | 53,754.41 | 9,169,679.28 | |
| Missoula Electric Coop | BUNDLED | 9.22 | 266.83 | 53,297.57 | 4,915,212 | |
| Marias River Electric Cooperative | BUNDLED | 11.35 | 321.79 | 42,172.68 | 4,785,929.41 |
Power Plants in Montana
| Plant | City/County | Primary Fuel Type | Production (MWh) | Emission (KG) | Emissions/MWh (KG/MWh) | Toxic Chemical Release | Closing Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colstrip | Coal | 10,258,307 | 10,878,408,040.98 | 1,060.45 | |||
Clearwater Wind IClearwater Energy Resources LLC (100.00%) | Miles City | Wind | 1,295,987 | ||||
Pryor Mountain WindPacifiCorp (100.00%) | Carbon County | Wind | 676,362 | ||||
NaturEner Rim Rock EnergyNaturEner Rim Rock Energy LLC (100.00%) | Toole County | Wind | 561,780 | ||||
Yellowstone Energy LPYellowstone Energy LP (100.00%) | Lockwood CDP | Petroleum Coke | 463,383 | 497,246,266.7 | 1,073.08 | ||
Dave Gates Generating StationNorthWestern Energy DGGS (100.00%) | Anaconda-Deer Lodge County | Natural Gas | 453,024 | 276,610,685.66 | 610.59 | ||
Judith Gap Wind Energy CenterInvenergy (100.00%) | Wheatland County | Wind | 386,173 | ||||
Clearwater Wind EastClearwater Wind East, LLC (100.00%) | Miles City | Wind | 291,444 | ||||
Stillwater Wind, LLCPattern Operators LP (100.00%) | Stillwater County | Wind | 245,619 | ||||
South Peak WindGreat American West Wind, LLC (100.00%) | Judith Basin County | Wind | 237,021 |
Quick Facts
Montana generates 4,842,730.37 megawatts from wind turbines. That is sufficient to rank it 20th in the United States for wind energy electricity generation.
Montana ranks 25th in the United States for solar electricity production per capita, averaging 0.26 megawatt hours produced per person.
Montana experienced a 6.74% drop in CO2 emissions per capita over the course of the previous 12 months.
Montana averages 4.31 megawatt hours produced from wind per person, which is 9th highest in the United States.
Non-renewable fuel types are used in the generation of 49.51% of the megawatt hours produced in Montana, ranking it 43rd worst for total megawatt hours produced from non-renewable fuels.
With 293,937 megawatt hours produced from solar, Montana is the 37th ranked state for total solar power generation.
| County | Population | Providers | Plants | Residential Rate (¢) | Residential Avg. Electric Bill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beaverhead County | 9,391 | 2 | 1 | 11.64 | $112.29/mo |
| Big Horn County | 13,198 | 6 | 1 | 14.29 | $117.18/mo |
| Blaine County | 7,051 | 3 | 14.80 | $114.22/mo | |
| Broadwater County | 6,641 | 2 | 11.63 | $112.29/mo | |
| Carbon County | 10,488 | 3 | 1 | 14.40 | $106.40/mo |
| Carter County | 1,349 | 4 | 16.93 | $107.96/mo | |
| Cascade County | 84,864 | 3 | 1 | 14.67 | $112.40/mo |
| Chouteau County | 5,896 | 4 | 15.31 | $115.56/mo | |
| Custer County | 11,968 | 7 | 1 | 14.91 | $130.22/mo |
| Daniels County | 1,739 | 3 | 13.00 | $134.36/mo | |
| Dawson County | 9,003 | 6 | 14.41 | $110.97/mo | |
| Deer Lodge County | 9,380 | 2 | 1 | 11.63 | $112.29/mo |
| Fallon County | 3,074 | 4 | 15.52 | $100.26/mo | |
| Fergus County | 11,464 | 3 | 15.72 | $121.38/mo | |
| Flathead County | 111,814 | 4 | 1 | 11.90 | $110.77/mo |
| Gallatin County | 124,857 | 4 | 12.97 | $107.72/mo | |
| Garfield County | 972 | 2 | 15.57 | $125.67/mo | |
| Glacier County | 13,827 | 3 | 12.82 | $105.41/mo | |
| Golden Valley County | 820 | 2 | 1 | 15.73 | $121.63/mo |
| Granite County | 3,333 | 3 | 13.84 | $103.44/mo | |
| Hill County | 16,297 | 2 | 15.30 | $114.02/mo | |
| Jefferson County | 12,057 | 2 | 11.63 | $112.29/mo | |
| Judith Basin County | 2,004 | 2 | 1 | 15.73 | $121.63/mo |
| Lake County | 31,030 | 4 | 11.76 | $106.51/mo | |
| Lewis and Clark County | 73,832 | 2 | 2 | 12.88 | $107.77/mo |
| Liberty County | 2,026 | 3 | 14.53 | $110.35/mo | |
| Lincoln County | 19,674 | 5 | 11.62 | $120.30/mo | |
| Madison County | 8,499 | 2 | 12.25 | $110.05/mo | |
| McCone County | 1,805 | 6 | 14.90 | $120.40/mo | |
| Meagher County | 1,932 | 4 | 12.19 | $115.43/mo | |
| Mineral County | 4,490 | 3 | 13.07 | $110.95/mo | |
| Missoula County | 121,041 | 3 | 12.26 | $105.85/mo | |
| Musselshell County | 4,813 | 3 | 15.72 | $122.10/mo | |
| Park County | 17,072 | 3 | 12.79 | $107.87/mo | |
| Petroleum County | 434 | 3 | 15.92 | $125.86/mo | |
| Phillips County | 4,233 | 3 | 14.17 | $115.16/mo | |
| Pondera County | 5,974 | 4 | 13.89 | $108.30/mo | |
| Powder River County | 1,759 | 4 | 15.58 | $143.21/mo | |
| Powell County | 6,955 | 2 | 13.37 | $103.98/mo | |
| Prairie County | 1,227 | 4 | 14.80 | $128.10/mo | |
| Ravalli County | 43,790 | 4 | 13.18 | $112.95/mo | |
| Richland County | 11,375 | 5 | 2 | 11.48 | $107.01/mo |
| Roosevelt County | 10,884 | 6 | 2 | 12.21 | $115.92/mo |
| Rosebud County | 8,464 | 6 | 3 | 14.63 | $131.34/mo |
| Sanders County | 12,298 | 6 | 13.13 | $109.21/mo | |
| Sheridan County | 3,522 | 3 | 10.12 | $114.92/mo | |
| Silver Bow County | 35,017 | 2 | 1 | 11.63 | $112.29/mo |
| Stillwater County | 8,916 | 5 | 1 | 14.57 | $111.01/mo |
| Sweet Grass County | 3,690 | 4 | 2 | 13.56 | $113.56/mo |
| Teton County | 6,173 | 2 | 14.33 | $113.26/mo | |
| Toole County | 5,013 | 3 | 3 | 13.02 | $103.07/mo |
| Treasure County | 693 | 3 | 14.43 | $137.08/mo | |
| Valley County | 7,553 | 5 | 14.53 | $129.09/mo | |
| Wheatland County | 2,082 | 3 | 1 | 15.63 | $121.49/mo |
| Wibaux County | 1,018 | 4 | 15.24 | $77.70/mo | |
| Yellowstone County | 169,852 | 3 | 2 | 14.25 | $114.80/mo |
Montana is the 41st worst ranked state when it comes to total CO2 pollution, with the state consuming enough electricity to account for 7,792,337,640.54 kilograms of CO2 emissions per year. More telling of the state's pollution reality is the per capita CO2 totals. Currently that amount stands at 6,939.68 kilograms of CO2 emissions from electricity use, which results in the state being the 10th ranked state in the nation for CO2 pollution emitted per capita. Electricity producing facilities in the state most often use Coal, which makes up 11,002,552.78 megawatt hours (or 43.04%) of the fuel types used for electricity generation in the state. Adding Coal totals to Conventional Hydroelectric (30.30%) and Wind (18.94%), these three fuels make up 92.28% of the state electricity generation. Montana has 27 electricity producing plants, which is the 36th most in the country and 4th highest when counting power plants per person.
FAQ: Common Questions About Electricity in Montana
What is a good electricity rate in Montana?
The average electricity price paid by customers in Montana in 2024 is 12.60 cents per kilowatt hour.
Where does Montana get its electricity?
Montana's electricity is produced using primarily Coal, which makes up 43.04% of the fuel used in the state. Conventional Hydroelectric and Wind also account for 30.30% and 18.94% respectively.
Does Montana have a deregulated electricity market?
No, Montana has a regulated electricity market where consumers often have only a single supplier choice for their electricity needs.
How many power plants are located in Montana?
There are 27 active power plants in Montana.
How many electric companies offer service in Montana?
Montana has 30 electricity providers operating in the area.
What is the average electric bill in Montana?
The average electric bill in the state of Montana in 2024 is $108 while the national average is $138.
What electricity company is the largest supplier in Montana?
By total megawatt hours sold, NorthWestern Energy is the largest electricity supplier in Montana.
What power companies are in Montana?
| State Customers Rank | Provider | State Customers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | NorthWestern Energy | 404,318 |
| 2 | Flathead Electric Cooperative | 74,871 |
| 3 | Montana Dakota Utilities | 25,492 |
| 4 | Mission Valley Power | 22,802 |
| 5 | Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative | 22,777 |
| 6 | Missoula Electric Coop | 16,366 |
| 7 | Ravalli Electric | 10,362 |
| 8 | Vigilante Electric Cooperative | 9,779 |
| 9 | Glacier Electric Coop | 7,143 |
| 10 | Fergus Electric Cooperative | 6,048 |
What is the cheapest electricity company in Montana?
| Residential Rate Rank | Provider | Residential Rate (¢) | State Customers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mission Valley Power | 8.37 | 22,802 |
| 2 | Vigilante Electric Cooperative | 8.85 | 9,779 |
| 3 | City of Troy Utilities | 8.96 | 939 |
| 4 | Flathead Electric Cooperative | 9.49 | 74,871 |
| 5 | Sheridan Electric Cooperative | 9.53 | 3,235 |
| 6 | Lower Yellowstone Electric REA | 9.60 | 4,424 |
| 7 | Missoula Electric Coop | 10.15 | 16,366 |
| 8 | Park Electric Coop | 10.57 | 5,862 |
| 9 | Ravalli Electric | 11.06 | 10,362 |
| 10 | Fall River Electric | 11.20 | 1,850 |
