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Montana
A more reliable grid. New jobs. Affordable power. Transmission makes it possible.
Every day, millions of people in Montana rely on the energy grid to power our modern way of life. Thanks to a network of transmission lines that carry energy from where it’s generated to where it’s used, we’re able to heat and cool our homes, keep the lights on at our businesses, get online for work and school, and even charge our vehicles. We rarely think twice about it — until the power goes out. Unfortunately, in the West and Southwest, many lines central to the grid were built in the 1940’s and 1950’s.
Transmission Means Affordability.
Electricity savings for homes and businesses
By introducing more room for low-cost electrons to flow onto the regional grid via new transmission, Utah residents would see energy cost savings. Expanding interregional transmission infrastructure could net $740 million in transmission cost savings annually for customers in MISO, one grid operator that covers Montana. One planned interregional transmission line that crosses Montana was found to have $4.68 in consumer benefits for every $1 spent. According to the same study, high-capacity transmission investments can create $92 in savings annually for an average American household.
Transmission Means Reliability.
Keeping the power on when extreme weather strikes
Montana contends with harsh winters, and increasingly common heat advisories continued this summer. A reliable energy grid will be a critical lifeline to keep the lights on and keep us comfortable. With the increasing frequency of extreme weather, transmission infrastructure can help ensure energy reliability because it makes it easier for utilities to access electricity when parts of the system are stressed or go dark.
Transmission Means Jobs.
Thousands of living-wage, modern energy jobs
In 2023, the Department of Energy determined the U.S. needs a 128% expansion of our transmission systems by 2035 to meet high electricity demand growth scenarios.6In 2024, over 5,000 Montanans were already working on building transmission and distribution infrastructure.7 This number will grow with additional investment.
A more reliable grid. New jobs. Affordable power.
Transmission makes it possible.
For more information, contact Doug Pietrucha at dpietrucha@advancedenergyunited.org.