Governor Gianforte Launches Energy Task Force

Governor Gianforte Launches Energy Task Force

Charges task force with unleashing American-made energy in Montana

• September 10 2025

HELENA, Mont. - Governor Greg Gianforte today launched an energy task force to provide recommendations and strategies for Montana to unleash American-made energy.

"With increasing demand on our energy grid, we must meet the challenge head-on to ensure affordable, reliable power for Montanans now and into the future," Gov. Gianforte said. "After four years of failed Biden energy policies that drove up energy costs, we need innovative ideas to unleash American-made energy in our state. Montana is ready to lead, and this task force will build on our natural strengths as a state rich in energy resources."

The governor created the task force through an executive order, and charged the task force to provide him with short- and long-term recommendations and strategies for Montana to increase the supply of affordable and reliable energy options.

Gov. Gianforte appointed Sonja Nowakowski, director of the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), to chair the task force.

"Montana has a long history of responsible energy development," Director Nowakowski said. "As we face growing demand for electricity, it's time to build on that legacy with innovation and investment in energy resources. This task force will convene leaders in Montana's energy sector to identify the barriers and develop a strategy to deliver affordable, dependable energy for Montana families and the businesses ready to invest in our state."

The task force will hold its first meeting on September 22 and will produce a written report with recommendations and strategies by September 15, 2026. Members will be named in the coming days.

In the order, the governor noted the state's "all-of the-above" approach to energy has diversified Montana's energy resources and increased its abundant energy potential to support the expansion of energy production in every sector and to avoid market distortions by not picking winners and losers in the marketplace.

While the task force may recommend any strategy increase the supply of affordable, reliable energy, the governor expressly asked the task force to provide recommendations that provide Montana energy producers and consumers with greater certainty in the market, stable delivery systems for electricity, efficient permitting and regulatory systems, and an end to frivolous litigation designed to delay or thwart responsible, environmentally-sound energy development.

According to a recent report from the Western Electricity Coordinating Council, the demand for electricity is projected to grow by 20 percent in the next ten years. The same report projected a 9 percent increase in demand only two years ago.

The governor's executive order to create the Unleashing American-Made Energy Task Force may be viewed here.

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