Governor Greg Gianforte’s energy task force has recommended that Montana’s five-member Public Service Commission be filled through gubernatorial appointment rather than district elections, marking a significant shift in how the state regulates utilities and energy infrastructure.
The task force, commissioned by Gianforte in September 2025, released its report Tuesday with seven recommendations aimed at positioning Montana to manage rising electricity demand. The group projected that power consumption across the Western United States will climb more than 20 percent over the next decade, prompting calls for clearer state energy governance and regulatory structure.
The Commission Debate
The proposal to move to an appointed commission stands in stark contrast to Montana’s current system, in which all five PSC commissioners are elected by district. All five sitting commissioners are Republicans. The shift would hand appointment authority to the governor while potentially requiring legislative approval, depending on how the change is structured.
PSC Vice President Jennifer Fielder has already signaled opposition to the appointed model, defending the current electoral process. The tension reflects a broader debate about regulatory independence: whether commissioners should answer to voters or to the executive branch.
Senator Chris Pope, a Bozeman Democrat who served on the task force, noted that the appointed commission proposal has already taken shape in at least one draft bill, suggesting the concept has found support among some legislators despite not yet being formally introduced.
Broader Energy Leadership
Beyond the PSC appointment question, the task force also recommended that the Montana Legislature and the governor’s office establish coordinated energy leadership, potentially through a formal group of state agency heads. The proposal reflects concern that energy decisions are fragmented across multiple state departments and that clearer coordination could streamline approvals and improve long-term planning.
The task force additionally recommended clarifying how utilities should handle data center operations, an emerging issue as tech companies seek locations for power-intensive facilities. The PSC is currently weighing data center policies and reviewing a proposed merger between NorthWestern Energy and Black Hills Corporation, both matters where regulatory clarity could shape outcomes.
Current Context
The energy task force recommendations arrive amid broader turbulence at the PSC. Gianforte suspended Commissioner Brad Molnar for one year, and Molnar is contesting the suspension. The governor subsequently appointed former PSC member Bushman to sit in for Molnar during the suspension period.
Gianforte told the task force, “You have delivered a thoughtful, serious and practical report that addresses that question and confirms that Montana is well-positioned to lead.”, as first reported by the Flathead Beacon
Representative Gary Parry, offering broader context, stated, “We have an opportunity to either be at the table and be able to chart our own destiny or we’re going to be on the menu,” underscoring concerns that without proactive state energy strategy, Montana risks being sidelined as regional energy markets shift.
What Comes Next
The task force recommendations are now before the public and legislature. Whether lawmakers take up the PSC appointment proposal during the 2027 regular session remains uncertain; the legislature is not in session during 2026. The data center guidance and coordinated leadership recommendations may advance faster given their less controversial nature and the immediate regulatory challenges the PSC faces.
