Montana Tribal Power Rates Get Federal Adjustment
Published Date: 1/16/2025
Notice
Summary
Starting March 1, 2025, and again on March 1, 2026, Mission Valley Power Project is updating its electric rates for customers in parts of Montana, including the Flathead Indian Reservation. These changes affect homes, businesses, and farms that get power from MVP. The 2024 rate increase was delayed, but the new rates for 2025 and 2026 will go ahead as planned, with no public objections.
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 6 costs, 0 mixed.
Residential electric bills rise in 2025–2026
If you get home power from Mission Valley Power (MVP) in Montana, your monthly basic charge rises from $17.50 now to $23.50 on March 1, 2025 and to $27.00 on March 1, 2026. Per‑kilowatt-hour energy charges also increase for the 0–1,000 kWh tier (from $0.0812 to $0.0880 in 2025 and $0.0901 in 2026) and other tiers, and the demand charge rises from $0.25/kW to $0.60/kW in 2025 and $0.80/kW in 2026.
Small business (Small General Service) rates increase
If your small business or farm in the MVP service area is billed as Small General Service (monthly demand ≤25 kW), the basic monthly charge rises from $17.50 now to $23.50 on March 1, 2025 and $27.00 on March 1, 2026. The energy charge increases from $0.1034/kWh to $0.1113/kWh in 2025 and $0.1136/kWh in 2026, and the demand charge rises from $0.30/kW to $0.75/kW in 2025 and $1.00/kW in 2026.
General Service (larger commercial) charges rise
If your commercial account is billed as General Service (monthly demand 26–1,000 kW) in MVP territory, monthly basic charges increase (for example, single‑phase basic charge rises from $32.50 to $43.50 on March 1, 2025 and to $50.00 on March 1, 2026) and demand charges rise (from $4.50/kW now to $5.25/kW in 2025 and $5.75/kW in 2026). Energy charges for some General Service tiers also change.
Irrigation (farm) rates rise starting 2025
If you have irrigation service from MVP, the basic monthly charge rises from $5.00 now to $15.00 on March 1, 2025 and $20.00 on March 1, 2026. The energy charge increases from $0.0712/kWh to $0.0720/kWh in 2025 and $0.0746/kWh in 2026, and the demand charge rises from $3.00/kW to $5.25/kW in 2025 and $5.75/kW in 2026.
Pre‑Pay meter setup and shutoff rules
If you choose MVP's Pre‑Pay Meter program, you must pre‑pay a minimum $50.00 at account setup (credited to your account) and keep a positive balance or the meter will shut off automatically. Pre‑Pay basic charges are listed (e.g., $21.00 now, $28.20 on March 1, 2025, and $32.40 on March 1, 2026).
Irrigation customers may get seasonal BPA discount
Irrigation customers may receive a Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) discount for the months of May through September. After BPA provides the final irrigation discount rate, MVP will issue the discount as an annual credit on qualified irrigation customers' bills.
Net metering option available for customer renewables
MVP allows Net Metering so customer‑owned renewable generation can interconnect with MVP's distribution system. Net Meter basic charges are shown (for residential net meters: $20.00 now, $28.50 on March 1, 2025, and $32.00 on March 1, 2026).
Area and street lighting charges increase
If you are billed for area or street lighting in the MVP area, LED area light charges rise from $10.05 now to $13.43 on March 1, 2025 and $15.43 on March 1, 2026; unmetered street LED lights rise from $7.20 to $9.10 and $9.55 on those dates. Metered street lighting energy charges also increase (for example, $0.1034/kWh to $0.1113/kWh in 2025).
Large single‑load customer rates largely unchanged
For a New Large Single Load account (monthly demand over 1 MW), MVP's listed basic charge ($45.00/month) and energy charges (e.g., $0.0753/kWh for the first 730,000 kWh) remain unchanged in 2025 and 2026 according to the table.
Proposed 2024 rate increase deferred
BIA will not implement the proposed 2024 MVP rates due to procedural delays. The final 2025 and 2026 rates will be implemented as proposed on March 1, 2025 and March 1, 2026.
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