Montana’s largest gas utility is set to get even larger with an announcement to acquire the regional gas provider Energy West Montana, which is headquartered in Great Falls.
NorthWestern Energy announced the $39 million deal on Tuesday. The company expects to complete the purchase by the first quarter of 2025, though it’s subject to approval by the Montana Public Service Commission, according to a press release.
NorthWestern said that the deal should close “with current Energy West rates remaining in effect” thereafter. Average gas bills for Energy West customers have trended lower than those of NorthWestern, according to data from the PSC.
“This is an opportunity for growth in our natural gas business in Montana by purchasing existing infrastructure built for Montanans and operated by a dedicated Montana team,” NorthWestern Energy President and CEO Brian Bird said in the press release.
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Energy West Montana serves a relatively small customer base of 33,000 in Great Falls and its surrounding communities, as well as Cut Bank and West Yellowstone. NorthWestern already provides gas to 212,000 customers in Montana, as well as more in other states. Montana-Dakota Utilities is the second-largest Montana gas utility.
Energy West has roots back to 1909 as Great Falls Gas Co. The company moved into the landmark Great Northern Railroad depot building in 1993. Its operations expanded to Cut Bank with the acquisition of Cut Bank Gas Co. in 2009. Energy West went through a web of ownership structures and is currently owned by Hope Utilities of West Virginia.
This story was originally published by Montana Free Press at montanafreepress.org. You can read the original story here.
Matt Hudson grew up in Great Falls and is a graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism. He previously worked as a reporter for the Owatonna (Minn.) People’s Press, the Daily Inter Lake in Kalispell and the Billings Gazette. He loves exploring near and far corners of Montana, often by bicycle. Reach Matt at mhudson@montanafreepress.org.
