NorthWestern Energy and Black Hills Corp. advance plans to merge
Author: Jo Dee Black, NorthWestern Energy
NorthWestern Energy and Black Hills Corp. Advance Plans to Merge
Jo Dee Black
NorthWestern Energy
Companies request approval from Montana Public Service Commission to merge.
“Better Together.” That’s the message shared by NorthWestern Energy and Black Hills Corp. in a joint application (https://www.psc.mt.gov, Regulated Utilities/Electronic Filings/search Docket Number 2025.10.078) submitted today to the Montana Public Service Commission seeking regulatory approval for a merger between the two companies.
The merger will combine the strengths of both companies, resulting in an organization with greater scale, financial stability, and operational expertise. It is designed to create a stronger, more resilient energy company focused on delivering safe, reliable, and affordable energy solutions to customers. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Brian Bird, president and CEO of NorthWestern Energy, will serve as president and CEO of the combined electric and natural gas utility company, and Linn Evans, CEO of Black Hills Corp., will continue serving in his role through the close of the transaction, at which point he will retire.
The merger does not change energy service or rates for NorthWestern Energy’s Montana customers. Regulatory oversight by the Montana Public Service Commission will remain unchanged.
“Bringing our companies together will deliver long-term value to our customers, employees and communities by providing safe, reliable and affordable energy solutions,” Bird said. “By joining forces, we will have the added scale to make us a financially stronger, more resilient utility better equipped to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing energy landscape.”
“We share a commitment to safety, reliability, integrity, and customer service,” Evans said. “We are confident that our closely aligned cultures and skilled workforces will enable us to improve life with energy for the people, businesses, and communities we are privileged to serve.”
Key Benefits for Montana Customers:
* Continued Safe, Reliable, and Affordable Service: The combined company will maintain the high level of service customers expect, with no changes to local operations or regulatory oversight in Montana.
* Long-Term Rate Stability: Efficiencies from the merger are expected to moderate future rate increases, helping keep energy bills as low as possible.
* Enhanced Reliability and Resiliency: With a larger pool of crews and resources, the company will be better equipped to respond to emergencies and build and maintain critical infrastructure.
* Local Presence and Community Commitment: Montana operations will remain locally managed, with employees continuing to serve the communities where they work, live, and raise their families.
* Access to Innovation and Best Practices: The merger will enable the deployment of new technologies and the sharing of expertise, further improving service quality and operational efficiency.
In addition to the Montana Public Service Commission, the company will submit joint applications to the Nebraska Public Service Commission and the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission; the Securities and Exchange Commission; and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The transaction will also require clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and approval from each company's shareholders.
Pending all approvals, the combined company will serve approximately 2.1 million electric and natural gas customers across eight contiguous states — Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming. The merger transaction is expected to conclude in late 2026 or early 2027.
More information about the merger is available at https://www.blackhillsnorthwesternbettertogether.com/
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Image 1 Caption: Northwest Energy logo
Image 2 Caption: Black Hills Energy
