Side by side (MT, EIA-861)
| Metric | NorthWestern Energy LLC | Flathead Electric Coop Inc |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 average price, ¢/kWh | 14.23 | 9.67 |
| 2023 average price, ¢/kWh | 14.61 | 9.50 |
| Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr | $1,537 | $1,044 |
| Residential customers (2024) | 328,125 | 63,317 |
| Ownership | Investor-owned | Co-op |
| Counties served in MT | 36 | 6 |
Average price = residential revenue ÷ sales (bundled service): the all-in price customers actually paid, including supply, delivery and riders. Profiles: NorthWestern Energy LLC · Flathead Electric Coop Inc · Montana overview.
Where the territories meet
Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: Carbon · Park · Sanders counties (MT, 2024).
Adjoining or overlapping territory in a county does not mean households there can pick between the two — service maps are parcel-level and fixed. The county overlap mainly matters when choosing where to live or comparing town-level costs.
Can you actually choose between them?
No — not for delivery. Distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; NorthWestern Energy LLC and Flathead Electric Coop Inc do not compete for the same meters. Montana is a regulated retail market — there is no residential supplier shopping; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings (psc.mt.gov). The price gap above mainly matters when choosing where to live, comparing towns, or benchmarking your bill.
Questions people ask
- Is NorthWestern Energy LLC cheaper than Flathead Electric Coop Inc?
- No — in 2024 NorthWestern Energy LLC customers averaged 14.23 cents/kWh versus 9.67 for Flathead Electric Coop Inc (EIA-861). Flathead Electric Coop Inc was cheaper by 4.56 cents, about $493 per year at 10,800 kWh.
- Can I switch from NorthWestern Energy LLC to Flathead Electric Coop Inc?
- No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. Montana has no residential supplier shopping either; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings.
- Why is NorthWestern Energy LLC more expensive than Flathead Electric Coop Inc?
- EIA-861 averages reflect everything customers actually paid — supply costs, delivery rates, riders, and surcharges across each territory. Differences in generation mix, grid investment, storm costs, and customer density between NorthWestern Energy and Flathead Electric Coop territory all feed the 4.56-cent gap.