PSC approves NorthWestern merger

The Public Service Commission this week approved a merger between NorthWestern Energy and South Dakota-based Black Hills Corporation. Once the deal is finalized, the $15.4 billion merger will create a new utility, Bright Horizon Energy, which will provide electric and natural gas services to over 2 million customers across Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, South Dakota, Nebraska and Arkansas. NorthWestern, Montana’s largest utility provider, will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Bright Horizon. The vote narrowly passed 3-2 on Tuesday. Commissioners Annie Bukacek, Kirk Bushman and Jennifer Fielder voted in support. Commissioner Randy Pinocci and PSC President Jeff Welborn voted against the proposal. Fielder recognized bigger is not always better but said a larger, merged utility could take out loans with lower interest rates and have reduced operating costs that could be passed on to customers.

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