PSE IN MONTANA:
HISTORY
Puget Sound Energy has been a partner in Montana's energy economy dating back to the 1970s and construction of the Colstrip Power Plant. Over the years, PSE’s support of Montana’s energy economy has been robust. PSE has purchased millions of tons of Montana coal, which has resulted in hundreds of millions in contributions to the Montana Coal Trust Fund for the benefit of all Montanans. PSE has contributed more than $270 million in property taxes and taxes related to wholesale energy transactions and electrical energy in the last 25+ years alone.
As of January 1, 2026, NorthWestern Energy acquired PSE’s remaining ownership of the Colstrip plant (Units 3 & 4). While PSE is no longer an owner of the Colstrip generating station, PSE is committed to paying its share of prudent decommissioning and remediation costs associated with Colstrip at the appropriate time. PSE was proud of its leadership on complex Colstrip issues including being the first owner to provide community transition and opportunity funding to the tune of $10 million dollars and the first owner to develop a mechanism to set aside existing federal tax benefits and grants to fund prudently incurred decommissioning and remediation costs.
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE:
INVESTMENTS IN MONTANA
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PSE continues to invest in Montana. Just last year, PSE completed the Beaver Creek Wind Project in Stillwater County and is currently developing the Battle Butte Solar Project also in Stillwater County. PSE also has an agreement with Energy Keepers, Inc., the tribally owned corporation of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes for hydroelectric power from the Selis Ksanka Qlispe hydroelectric project, an agreement with NextEra for power from Montana’s largest windfarm, Clearwater Wind, and an agreement with Clearway Energy Group for power from the Haymaker Wind Project. PSE looks forward to continuing to partner with Montana as part of its all of the above energy economy – learn more about these projects here >>>
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As PSE works to meet our aspirational goals of being a Beyond Net Zero Carbon company and meet the obligations outlined in Washington State’s Clean Energy Transformation Act, Montana continues to play a strategic role in supplying a diverse supply of energy.
NextEra Clearwater Wind Project
Rosebud County, Montana