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Timeline
14 dated events: the promise, the costs and who decides.
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 3, 2025 | The PSC intervenes at FERC on the Colstrip 370 MW share. | Record: FERC Docket ER26-129 |
| Dec 12, 2025 | The PSC decides to withdraw and promises a state investigation. | Record: PSC release |
| Dec 16, 2025 | A motion to go back in at FERC fails 2-3. | Record: KTVH, Dec 17 |
| Feb 1, 2026 | Residential base rates rise about 17% under the last rate case. | Reported: Missoula Current |
| Mar 31, 2026 | Data center discovery is denied 3-2. | Record: DFO ¶60, ¶111 |
| May 5, 2026 | Formal notice of investigation. NorthWestern gets 30 days to answer. | Reported: Clearing Up, May 12 |
| July 9, 2026 | The Governor suspends Commissioner Molnar for 1 year. | Reported: Daily Montanan, July 10 |
| Aug 18, 2026 | The PSC returns NorthWestern’s resource plan as deficient, 3-1. | Reported: KTVH, Aug 20 |
| Aug 26, 2026 | The Governor appoints Kirk Bushman to the open seat. | Record: Governor’s release |
| Sept 22, 2026 | The PSC clears Bushman to vote, 5-0. He did not attend the hearing. | Reported: Daily Montanan, Sept 24 |
| Oct 23, 2026 | Draft order: the Colstrip investigation is still open and “not a merger issue.” | Record: DFO ¶122, ¶124 |
| Oct 27, 2026 | The vote is delayed to Nov 10, 3-2, for a Colstrip condition. About 25 commenters, all opposed. | Reported: KTVH, Oct 27 |
| Nov 10, 2026 | Decision meeting. | Reported: KTVH, Oct 27 |
| Nov 12, 2026 | Last day for the PSC to act. | Reported: Daily Montanan, Oct 27 |
The 3-to-2 votes
Every split vote on the merger case and Colstrip, by name. Before July 2026, the same 3 commissioners formed the majority each time.
| Date | Question | Result | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 21, 2025 | Remove Molnar as PSC president | 3-2 | Bukacek, Welborn, Fielder | Molnar, Pinocci |
| Dec 16, 2025 | Go back in at FERC on Colstrip | Failed 2-3 | Molnar, Pinocci | Welborn, Fielder, Bukacek |
| Mar 31, 2026 | Deny data center discovery | 3-2 | Welborn, Fielder, Bukacek | Molnar, Pinocci |
| Apr 14, 2026 | Deny motions to pause or dismiss the case | 3-2 | Welborn, Fielder, Bukacek | Molnar, Pinocci |
| Oct 27, 2026 | Delay the decision to Nov 10 | 3-2 | Fielder, Welborn, Pinocci | Bukacek, Bushman |
Sources, in order: Montana Free Press, Oct 21; KTVH, Dec 17; DFO ¶60, ¶111 and Daily Montanan, Mar 31; Daily Montanan, Apr 15; KTVH, Oct 27. DFO = Draft Final Order 8043, filed Oct 23, 2026.
