Time to stand up for Montana ratepayers

My name is Elena Evans, and I’m running as an Independent for the Public Service Commission because we can’t afford another 28 percent increase on our power bills. I’m not a Democrat. I’m not a Republican. I’m a working mother with two kids, and I’m tired of politicians who refuse to stand up for Montana ratepayers.

There’s no other way to say it, our current Public Service Commission is a mess. The mission of the commission is to ensure “affordable, reliable, and sustainable” utility services. But right now, all five elected commissioners are ignoring this responsibility, and working families and small business owners are paying the price for their mistakes.  

Two years ago, Northwestern Energy - a monopoly power company with 405,000 electricity and 212,000 natural gas customers in Montana — requested a whopping 28% rate hike on electricity and gas services for residential and business customers. The commission approved the request on a 5 to 0 vote.