The commission that regulates utilities in Montana has a new executive director. The Public Service Commission selected David Sanders for the role.
The commission is made up of five elected commissioners. The executive director position was created after a 2021 legislative audit found the commission was falling short in administrative matters.
Former legislator Brad Tschida was the previous holder of the position. He stepped down in September.
Announcing the new hire, the commission said Sanders held previous positions in the U.S. Department of Transportation and U.S. House of Representatives.
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Democratic House candidates try to separate from the pack. Senate Republican candidate Kurt Alme tries to downplay the last-minute maneuver that put him into the race. Senate Democratic candidate Reilly Neill promises to hold President Trump accountable if she's elected. And this may be the last time voters elect members of the state Public Service Commission. -
The state’s largest utility is signing agreements to power data centers. But, the details of those agreements have remained unavailable to the public. Now a coalition of climate and energy groups is demanding state regulators release that information. -
Amid internal strife at the Montana Public Service Commission, a legislative committee will study reshaping the state’s utility oversight board. -
Gov. Greg Gianforte declined to suspend a state public service commissioner from office, but encouraged an internal investigation to continue. Molnar has been accused of harassment and is under investigation by an internal response team. -
Environmental groups and other nonprofits have filed a formal complaint about data centers with state utility regulators. The groups are asking the Public Service Commission to ensure NorthWestern Energy customers do not subsidize the cost of powering data centers. -
Montana's largest utility this year struck deals to power three data centers — and counting. NorthWestern Energy has promised them at least twice the amount of electricity used to power all homes and businesses in the state. As data centers look to break ground in Montana, some worry ratepayers will have to subsidize their colossal power needs.
