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Electricity In Montana

Population1,068,778
Total Consumption14,476,589 MWh / 13.54 MWh per capita
CO₂ Equivalent Emissions6,767,418,528 kg
Total Production23,345,319 MWh / 21.84 MWh per capita

Residential Electricity Bills & Rates in Montana

Montana residential electric rates are highest in January and the highest average bill is in September.

Historical Electric Rates:

14^th11.33¢Average residential price per kWh in the state of Montana

9^th$97.28Average residential monthly electricity bill for Montana Residents

Energy Profile of Montana

MonthlyWe report production data as it is published. Due to reporting methods and timing, data from 2021 and 2020 may be incomplete. Data is released in full each fall for the previous calendar year. For clarification on any data points, please contact our team.

AnnualAnnual data for 2020 will be finalized in the fall of 2021. Until that time, some data may be incomplete. Data for 2021 is a summation of all information released to date, which may only represent a portion of the actual production that has occurred. For clarification on any data points, please contact our team.

Montana's Electricity Prices and Usage

The average residential electricity rate in Montana in 2021 is 11.33 cents per kilowatt hour, which is 15.01% lower than the national average of 13.33 cents.. The state has a regulated electricity market, meaning consumers may have only a few provider options to choose from when shopping for their electricity. Montana has accomplished a 5.44% rise in the use of renewable fuel sources for electricity production in the past year. The state is the 43rd highest electricity consuming state with consumption totaling over 14,400,000 megawatt hours. Electricity providers operating in the state increased their production of electricity from wind turbines by 10.45%. The state has total emissions of 6,331.92 kilograms per person of CO2 gases, which ranks it the 15th worst polluting state per capita.

Residential Electricity Providers in Montana

Provider	Residential Rate (¢)	Residential Average Bill ($)	Residential Sales (MWh)	Residential Revenues ($)	State Production (MWh)	State Emissions (KG)
NorthWestern Energy	12.04	87.09	2,682,290	322,984,694	3,765,552.87	5,098,299,884.51
Flathead Electric Cooperative	9.55	111.42	809,461	77,276,000	11,994	1,345,502,929.48
Mission Valley Power	6.89	92.6	245,000	16,880,510		181,116,912.24
Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative	12.46	119.64	222,135	27,667,553		136,871,501.34
Montana Dakota Utilities	10.90	83.53	181,803	19,815,000	302,208	806,222,064.09
Missoula Electric Coop	9.96	106.28	176,999	17,636,315		114,441,665.94
Ravalli Electric	9.95	119.79	140,709	13,997,900		76,616,533.05
Vigilante Electric Cooperative	8.37	95.04	118,782	9,938,000		81,740,040.19
Lincoln Electric Cooperative	10.19	135.4	85,350	8,693,000		56,296,872.04
Park Electric Coop	9.53	112.74	81,419	7,757,400		84,248,501.8

Power Plants in Montana

Plant	City/County	Primary Fuel Type	Production (MWh)	Emission (KG)	Emissions/MWh (KG/MWh)	Toxic Chemical Release
ColstripTalen Energy (17.70%)Puget Sound Energy (25.05%)NorthWestern Energy (12.34%)PacifiCorp (9.98%)Portland General Electric (19.96%)Avista Utilities (14.97%)	Colstrip	Coal	8,013,770.99	8,491,678,088.64	1,059.64	Yes
LibbyUS Army Corps of Engineers (100.00%)	Lincoln County	Conventional Hydroelectric	2,310,881	142,495,414.44	61.66
Noxon RapidsAvista Utilities (100.00%)	Sanders County	Conventional Hydroelectric	1,596,460.01	98,442,216.27	61.66
Fort PeckUS Army Corps of Engineers (100.00%)	Fort Peck	Conventional Hydroelectric	1,105,656.99	68,177,905.98	61.66
Selis Ksanka QlispeEnergy Keepers Inc (100.00%)	Lake County	Conventional Hydroelectric	962,819	59,370,105.93	61.66
Hungry HorseUS Bureau of Reclamation (100.00%)	Hungry Horse CDP	Conventional Hydroelectric	925,709	57,081,810.39	61.66
YellowtailUS Bureau of Reclamation (100.00%)	Fort Smith CDP	Conventional Hydroelectric	780,391	48,121,099.25	61.66
NaturEner Rim Rock EnergyNaturEner Rim Rock Energy LLC (100.00%)	Toole County	Wind	663,554	18,878,541.44	28.45
Judith Gap Wind Energy CenterInvenergy (100.00%)	Harlowton	Wind	487,078	13,859,395.36	28.45
Thompson FallsNorthWestern Energy (100.00%)	Thompson Falls	Conventional Hydroelectric	480,176	29,609,009.21	61.66

Quick Facts

Montana ranks 49th in the US for natural gas generation, with 337,721.67 megawatt hours generated using the fuel type.

When measuring CO2 emissions per capita, Montana saw a 28.31% drop within the previous 12 months.

Montana has recently seen an increase in electricity generation from solar power of roughly 8.90% year over year.

Montana is 21st in the nation in electricity produced from wind power.

Montana has seen a 4.12% increase in hydroelectric power generation over the last 12 months.

The monthly residential electricity bill average in Montana is $97.28 compared to the US average of $120.11. Montana citizens enjoy a 19.01% lower average expense every month compared to their fellow countrymen.

County	Population	Providers	Plants	Residential Rate (¢)	Residential Avg. Electric Bill
Beaverhead County	9,453	2		8.93	$93.82/mo
Big Horn County	13,319	6	2	12.17	$117.33/mo
Blaine County	6,681	4		13.19	$116.54/mo
Broadwater County	6,237	2		9.31	$92.99/mo
Carbon County	10,725	4	1	12.49	$96.40/mo
Carter County	1,252	5		12.82	$99.32/mo
Cascade County	81,366	4	6	12.71	$100.84/mo
Chouteau County	5,635	5		13.79	$115.58/mo
Custer County	11,402	7	1	12.98	$127.00/mo
Daniels County	1,690	2		11.18	$144.68/mo
Dawson County	8,613	6	1	11.98	$103.89/mo
Deer Lodge County	9,140	2	1	11.02	$89.31/mo
Fallon County	2,846	4	1	12.07	$92.84/mo
Fergus County	11,050	3		15.16	$131.08/mo
Flathead County	103,806	5	4	9.70	$113.23/mo
Gallatin County	114,434	3		11.70	$91.62/mo
Garfield County	1,258	2		13.60	$120.80/mo
Glacier County	13,753	4		10.01	$103.79/mo
Golden Valley County	821	2	1	15.21	$131.75/mo
Granite County	3,379	2	1	11.78	$89.50/mo
Hill County	16,484	3		13.79	$114.47/mo
Jefferson County	12,221	2		10.11	$91.27/mo
Judith Basin County	2,007	3	2	13.79	$111.94/mo
Lake County	30,458	4	1	7.33	$94.81/mo
Lewis and Clark County	69,432	4	5	11.80	$94.72/mo
Liberty County	2,337	5	1	12.30	$108.17/mo
Lincoln County	19,980	5	1	10.37	$115.00/mo
Madison County	8,600	2		11.32	$88.64/mo
McCone County	1,664	6		12.74	$110.50/mo
Meagher County	1,862	4	1	12.10	$92.51/mo
Mineral County	4,397	2		11.51	$91.96/mo
Missoula County	119,600	4		9.98	$103.00/mo
Musselshell County	4,633	3		14.78	$126.10/mo
Park County	16,606	2		10.96	$98.17/mo
Petroleum County	487	3		14.91	$130.64/mo
Phillips County	3,954	4		12.29	$118.23/mo
Pondera County	5,911	5		12.45	$110.51/mo
Powder River County	1,682	2		14.06	$152.73/mo
Powell County	6,890	2		11.27	$94.20/mo
Prairie County	1,077	5		12.71	$116.40/mo
Ravalli County	43,806	2		10.44	$112.09/mo
Richland County	10,803	6	2	10.08	$96.47/mo
Roosevelt County	11,004	6	3	10.36	$112.70/mo
Rosebud County	8,937	7	1	13.26	$140.15/mo
Sanders County	12,113	6	2	10.67	$96.27/mo
Sheridan County	3,309	3		8.80	$120.28/mo
Silver Bow County	34,915	2	1	9.46	$92.66/mo
Stillwater County	9,642	4	2	12.73	$102.19/mo
Sweet Grass County	3,737	4	2	11.48	$103.86/mo
Teton County	6,147	3	3	13.14	$110.65/mo
Toole County	4,736	3	3	8.94	$92.96/mo
Treasure County	696	3		13.40	$153.07/mo
Valley County	7,396	6	1	13.14	$147.01/mo
Wheatland County	2,126	2	4	15.09	$129.97/mo
Wibaux County	969	3		10.90	$83.53/mo
Yellowstone County	161,300	4	4	12.79	$118.34/mo

The state of Montana’s primary fuel source consumed for electricity production is Conventional Hydroelectric. They produce 10,648,634.51 megawatt hours, or 45.61% of the total production in the state, from this fuel. When combined with Coal (37.04%) and Wind (12.61%), these three fuels make up 95.26% state's electricity production. Electricity use in the state results in 6,767,418,527.58 kilograms of CO2 emissions. This is the 42nd most of any state in the US. Averaging 6,331.92 kilograms of CO2 emissions per capita, the state ranks 15th worst for pollution per capita. Montana is home to 58 electricity generation plants, which is 42nd most in the country and 14th most when counting plants per citizen.

CONVENTIONAL HYDROELECTRIC

45.61%

COAL

37.04%

WIND

12.61%

PETROLEUM COKE

1.89%

NATURAL GAS

1.45%

OTHER

1.41%

Roughly 57.14% of the electric providers in Montana offer net metering to their customers. At the state level, Montana is known for decent net metering and feed in tariff regulations.

There are 24 companies in Montana that reported energy loss, including NorthWestern Energy, Flathead Electric Cooperative, and Mission Valley Power. Combined, these 24 companies average an annual energy loss of 3.11% of electricity produced. The United States average for energy loss is 2.72%, which earns a rank of 32nd worst in the country for Montana in this category.

When it comes to encouraging solar panel installs at private residences, tax and rebate incentives from the government are some of the easiest methods. Montana offers a credit that is $1000 or less or there is no state tax. Offering no rebates for solar panel installs, the state is currently dropping the ball for its citizens who want to install private solar panels. Fortunately, Montana offers a 100% tax exemption to residents. at their place of residence. There is currently a 100% sales tax exemption in place for the purchase of solar panels.

Whether a consumer is able to easily find electricity plans with renewable sources is somewhat determined by statewide initiatives. Many states require renewable fuels to be a portion of the fuel used for electricity generation by suppliers in the state. These stipulations are referred to as Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS). The state of Montana, unfortunately, has no standards in place. Also, there are currently no low income solar programs to assist low income families to install solar panels.

FAQ: Common Questions About Energy in Montana

Where does Montana get its electricity?

Montana’s electricity is produced using primarily Conventional Hydroelectric, which makes up 45.61% of the fuel used in the state. In addition, Coal makes up 37.04% and Wind accounts for 12.61%.

How much does electricity cost in Montana?

The average price per kilowatt hour of electricity in Montana in 2021 is 11.33 cents.

What electricity company is the largest provider in Montana?

By total revenue, NorthWestern Energy is the largest electricity supplier in Montana.

How many electric companies offer service in Montana?

There are 35 electricity companies operating in Montana.

What is the average electric bill in Montana?

The average electricity bill in the state of Montana in 2021 is $97 while the national average is $120.

How many power plants are within Montana?

Montana has 58 active power plants generating electricity for the state.

Does Montana have a deregulated electricity market?

No, the state has a regulated market, where citizens’ electricity company choices are usually determined by their location or state legislation.

What is the cheapest electricity company in Montana?

Residential Rate Rank	Provider	Residential Rate (¢)	State Customers
1	Black Hills Energy	6.78	41
2	Mission Valley Power	6.89	21,763
3	City of Troy Utilities	7.12	1,034
4	Sheridan Electric Cooperative	8.34	3,680
5	Vigilante Electric Cooperative	8.37	10,178
6	McKenzie Electric Cooperative	8.60	116
7	Lower Yellowstone Electric REA	8.71	5,076
8	Marias River Electric Cooperative	8.89	3,820
9	Avista Utilities	8.93	31
10	Park Electric Coop	9.53	6,178

What power companies offer service in Montana?

State Customers Rank	Provider	State Customers
1	NorthWestern Energy	384,976
2	Flathead Electric Cooperative	69,632
3	Montana Dakota Utilities	25,605
4	Mission Valley Power	21,763
5	Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative	21,069
6	Missoula Electric Coop	15,549
7	Ravalli Electric	10,837
8	Vigilante Electric Cooperative	10,178
9	Glacier Electric Coop	7,758
10	Fergus Electric Cooperative	6,496

Last Reviewed By: Ginalyn Gelera

Published: 2021-03-16Last Updated: 2021-10-13