BUTTE Acknowledging the late winter cold is causing bills to skyrocket, NorthWestern Energy is making nearly $1 million available to help customers.
The funds come from a pot of money under the Tax Cut and Jobs Act, which netted NorthWestern more than $20 million to be directed to the utility’s customers.
Under a settlement with the Montana Public Service Commission and other parties, a majority of those funds will show up as a one time credit for eligible ratepayers on January bills.
That left $815,000 which is being sent to Energy Share Montana to help customers who normally don’t qualify for assistance, with the balance going to the Montana Department of Health and Human Services.
Those funds will go to low-income service agencies to help customers who don’t normally qualify for free weatherization measures for their homes.
The settlement will also trim some natural gas rates, effective January 1.
