Montana: Public Service Commission Approves NorthWestern Energy's $15.4 Billion Merger With Black Hills; Rates Will Not Rise as a Result
The Montana Public Service Commission on November 10 approved the $15.4 billion merger of NorthWestern Energy and Black Hills Corporation, making Montana the last state that needed to vote on the deal. Three of the commission's five members voted in favor, and the merger was approved.
The approved order expressly provides that the merger must not cause electricity rates to rise, reassuring Montana households served by NorthWestern Energy. The two companies announced the merger in August 2025, 15 months before approval. The commission had voted 3-2 on October 27 to delay its decision before giving final approval on November 10.
After the merger, the two companies will combine under a new parent company, Bright Horizon Energy, which will become one of the major utilities in the western United States, providing electric and natural gas service to about 2.1 million customers across eight states, including Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska.
Montana was the last state in the country to exercise approval authority over the merger, and the commission's approval means the 15-month transaction has now cleared every state-level review and will move into corporate integration. (Source: Montana Public Service Commission)
Source: Montana Public Service Commission
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：位于 Helena 的蒙大拿州议会大厦。Mattvw9287 摄，CC BY 4.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: The Montana State Capitol in Helena. By Mattvw9287, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
