Planning Montana's Clean Energy Future

Long-term resource planning helps deliver affordable and reliable energy into the future.

Integrated Resource Planning

Wind turbines at the Two Dot Wind Farm at sunset

Integrated Resource Planning

NorthWestern Energy files an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) with the Montana Public Service Commission every three years. The IRP presents an evaluation of different potential generation resource portfolios that would meet the needs of our Montana electric customers reliably, safely and affordably over a 20‑year time horizon. Provide Feedback

 

Download the 2026 Draft IRP 2026 Workplan

Attend an in-person community meeting about the Draft IRP

Help Shape Montana’s Energy Future. A 20-minute presentation will be followed by time for public comments on the Draft IRP. Each meeting will last 2 hours.

  • Great Falls - 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 27 - Great Falls Public Library, 301 2nd Ave. N.
  • Missoula - 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 28 - Missoula College, 1205 E. Broadway St.
  • Helena - 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 3 - Lewis & Clark Library, Large Community Room, 120 S. Last Chance Gulch
  • Bozeman - 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 4 - Bozeman Library, Community Room, 626 E Main St.

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How to provide public comments on the Draft IRP:

 

Electric Technical Advisory Committee

The Electric Technical Advisory Committee, or ETAC, advises NorthWestern Energy in the preparation of its Resource Procurement Plan every three years. The primary goal of ETAC is to act as technical advisors through discussion, education, and collaboration on matters of future service and resources. The committee is tasked with strengthening NorthWestern’s resource planning efforts by providing insights and recommendations that take into account technical, economic and policy considerations.
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MT 2026 IRP Schedule (Tentative – Subject to Change)

MeetingDateTimeTopics
****Jan. 16, 2026
  • Public release of Draft IRP
Great Falls Community Meeting***Jan. 27, 2026 (Great Falls)5:30 - 7:30 p.m. 
  • IRP Presentation
  • Great Falls Public Library
  • (301 2nd Ave. N., Great Falls, MT)
Missoula Community Meeting*** Jan. 28, 2026 (Missoula)5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
  • IRP Presentation
  • Missoula College
  • (1205 E. Broadway St., Missoula, MT)
Helena Community Meeting***Feb. 3, 2026 (Helena)5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
  • IRP Presentation
  • Lewis & Clark Library Large Community Room
  • (120 S Last Chance Gulch, Helena, MT)
Bozeman Community Meeting***Feb. 4, 2026 (Bozeman)5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
  • IRP Presentation
  • Bozeman Public Library Community Room
  • (626 E. Main St., Bozeman, MT)
*April 28, 2026N/A
  • MT IRP 2026 Filing with MPSC

* Denotes the Date for Anticipated 2026 MT IRP filing with Montana Public Service Commission

*** Denotes Public Session

****Denotes Draft Plan public release 

 

 

Where does your energy come from?

See, in real time, the resources being used to produce your electricity.
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Electric supply planning for South Dakota

NorthWestern submits an electricity supply resource plan to our state regulatory commission every 2 to 3 years. These plans serve to inform and support the resource management decisions necessary to ensure a reliable and affordable supply of electricity for all of our customers.
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