The Electric Technical Advisory Committee (ETAC) is established under Montana Code Annotated § 69-3-1208 and the Administrative Rules of Montana 38.5.2023. It serves as an advisory body to NorthWestern Energy, providing input and recommendations on various issues related to our electricity system, particularly in the areas of portfolio planning, resource management and procurement as part of the development of the integrated resource plan (IRP) process.
Key Aspects of ETAC
Composition:
- The ETAC membership was selected to balance the interests and expertise from consumer advocacy groups, government agencies, business concerns and academia in areas such as residential affordability (including low-income), economic development, environmental quality, regional power and transmission markets, consumer interests and regulatory oversight. Specifically, the ETAC is comprised of 6-8 entities who are able to serve in an advisory role based on their experience.
Purpose:
- The primary goal of ETAC is to act as technical advisors through discussion, education, and collaboration on matters of future service and resources.
- The committee is tasked with strengthening NorthWestern Energy’s resource planning efforts by providing insights and recommendations that take into account technical, economic and policy considerations.
Selection Criteria for Membership:
Members are selected based on their expertise in relevant fields, representation of diverse interests, and ability to contribute constructively to the advisory process.
By involving a wide range of stakeholders, ETAC helps NorthWestern Energy make more informed decisions that reflect the needs and priorities of its customers and the communities it serves.
More information on ETAC process and meetings as well as our stakeholder engagement process will be available soon.
ETAC Integrated Resource Planning Library
Meeting materials and other documents can be found here.
Meeting 11
Sept. 21, 2026
Electric Technical Advisory Committee (ETAC) Meeting 11 Minutes: Sept. 21, 2026
September 2026
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Meeting 10
Feb. 25, 2026
Meeting 9
Oct. 29, 2025
Meeting 8
Aug. 28, 2025
NorthWestern Energy ETAC Committee Members
Montana Public Service Commission
- Haylee Gobert
- Mike Dalton
Montana Department of Environmental Quality
- Jeff Blend
- Kyla Maki
Montana Consumer Counsel
- Jamie Stamatson
National Resource Defense Council
- Chuck Magraw
NorthWest Power and Conservation Council
- Brian Dekiep
Southwest Power Pool
- Ben Bright
- Kelli Schermerhorn
Bureau of Business and Economic Research
- Patrick Barkey