Montana Task Force Tags $1.7M to Help With Heat Bills for Low Income

A governor-appointed committee, looking for ways to help Montana's poor cope with winter heating bills in the wake of big rate increases, has found a pot of money to do just that.

The Consumer Energy Protection Task Force recommended NorthWestern Energy make $1.7 million in excess money collected from special tax on consumers' monthly bills available for programs to help low-income residents.

On September 12, the task force will meet again with Northwestern Energy officials who will give recommendations on how that money should be divided between home weatherization projects to reduce energy use and financial help to pay electricity and natural gas bills.

The money comes from an assessment added to each utility bill, called the universal system benefits charge. It raised almost $11 million last year, with about $8.2 million paid just by Northwestern Energy's 295,000 electric customers.

The money is used for a variety of programs, including help for poorer ratepayers and energy conservation projects.

Source: Associated Press

Page Last Updated: December 7, 2005