2/04: On February 3, 2004 NorthWestern Energy presented the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) with its default supply procurement plan. NorthWestern is the default electricity supplier for residential, business and some industrial customers that have not opted to be served by another supplier. In 2003, the PSC developed some default supply procurement guidelines. Because NorthWestern owns no generation, their plan (developed using the PSC guidelines) strives to show that they are capable of providing reliable power to nearly 300,000 Montanans at a reasonable price.

2/02: The PSC issued a final order that will allow the NorthWestern Corporation to complete its acquisition of the Montana Power Company.

1/01: The PSC approved an interim $14.5 million increase in delivery rates for Montana Power customers. The increase represents a 4.5-percent increase for customers who buy their power from Montana Power and a 7.5- percent increase for customers who buy power from competitive suppliers.

11/00: The PSC has decided to delay complete retail access for all consumers from July 2002 to July 2004 because the state does not have a competitive power supply market in place. Most rural electric cooperatives have opted not to restructure or offer retail choice. Also, Montana Power customers have not been switching to retail choice in large numbers. All NorthWestern Energy customers will be returned to Montana Power service because the Public Service Commission has imposed a rate hike moratorium on Montana Power customers through July 1, 2002.

6/98: The PSC approved a plan to phase-in competition. Beginning July 1, 1998, Montana Power's largest customers (loads over 1 MW) will be able to choose their energy supplier. Beginning November 1998, 5 percent of residential and small consumers will select their power supplier under a pilot program. Full retail access should be complete by April 2000.