Governor Greg Gianforte announced that the Montana Department of Commerce has finalized a nearly $700 million award from the U.S. Department of Energy for the North Plains Connector Interregional Innovation project. The funding supports the construction of the first high-voltage transmission line linking Montana’s eastern and western power grids.
The governor discussed the initiative during a fireside chat in Helena with Katie Jereza, Assistant Secretary of the DOE Office of Electricity. Gianforte emphasized the state’s role in energy production and grid stability.
“Montana has a long history of the producing reliable, affordable energy and this investment ensures we can also play a role in securing the grid now and into the future,” Gov. Gianforte said.
Grid Expansion Details
The North Plains Connector is designed to add 3,800 megawatts of new capacity. The project will increase transfer capacity between the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) and the Eastern Interconnection in Montana and North Dakota by 1,400 percent.
The infrastructure connects three major regional control entities: WECC, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), and the Southwest Power Pool (SPP). Officials state the award enhances power grid reliability across both Montana and North Dakota.
Gianforte joined community leaders in Colstrip in October 2024 to celebrate the initial grant announcement. The Montana Department of Commerce received official award notification in August 2025, with finalization occurring recently.
Rising Demand and Task Force
The push for expanded transmission comes as regional assessments indicate growing pressure on power systems. WECC projects that electricity demand across the west will rise by 20 percent by 2034. The organization’s 2025 Western Assessment of Resource Adequacy warned that the northwest region faces an elevated risk of resource shortfalls.
In response to these challenges, Gov. Gianforte issued an executive order in September 2025 creating the Unleashing American-Made Energy Task Force. The task force established three subcommittees focused on generation, growing demand, and transmission markets.
Members examined a broad range of energy resources, including coal, natural gas, wind, solar, geothermal, hydro, demand-side resources, and nuclear power. The group delivered its final report to the governor in August, intended to guide lawmakers during the 2027 legislative session.
Regional Cooperation
Gianforte also highlighted broader collaborative efforts to modernize western infrastructure. In June, he announced that Montana joined the Western Transmission Expansion Coalition. This agreement includes eleven states across the western United States working together on transmission development.
The governor framed the federal investment as a continuation of the state’s industrial legacy. “This $700 million investment in Montana strengthens our existing energy infrastructure, creates jobs and opportunities, and builds on our rich history as an energy leader,” Gov. Gianforte said.