NorthWestern Energy
NorthWestern Energy is a major Montana natural gas utility serving a large portion of western and central Montana.
Visit NorthWestern Energy →Montana Natural Gas Providers
Find Montana natural gas utilities, compare available gas supply options, understand residential gas rates and identify the natural gas service available at your address.
NorthWestern Energy
Montana-Dakota Utilities
Competitive Gas Suppliers
Billings
Great Falls
Missoula
Compare Montana Natural Gas Options →
Find Gas Providers by ZIP
Enter your Montana ZIP code to see natural gas providers and service information for your area.
Availability, rates and eligible gas supply options depend on your service address and utility territory.
2
Primary regulated gas utilities
ZIP
Service availability
Choice
Available for some NWE customers
Monthly
Usage affects total cost
Montana natural gas options
How Montana natural gas service works
Montana's natural gas market is primarily organized around local distribution utilities. Some NorthWestern Energy customers can also choose a competitive gas supplier while the utility continues to provide transmission and delivery service.
Montana-Dakota Utilities
Montana-Dakota Utilities provides retail natural gas service in numerous eastern Montana communities, including Billings.
Visit Montana-Dakota Utilities →Competitive Gas Suppliers
Some NorthWestern Energy customers can choose a licensed competitive gas supplier. Supplier availability depends on eligibility and service territory.
Montana Gas Supplier Information →
Montana natural gas rates
Compare Montana natural gas providers
Montana natural gas costs vary by utility, gas supply arrangement, usage, delivery charges, customer charges, taxes and other applicable fees. Compare the complete bill rather than a single advertised gas rate.
● Rate information:
Utility and supplier specific
| Provider | Service | Gas rate | Service area | Monthly cost | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
NorthWestern Energy
Montana natural gas utility
|
Gas supply and delivery |
Varies
/therm
|
Western and central Montana | Usage based | Utility | Rates |
|
NorthWestern Energy — Great Falls
Former Energy West service territory
|
Natural gas service |
Varies
/therm
|
Great Falls area | Usage based | Utility | Rates |
|
NorthWestern Energy — Cut Bank
Former Cut Bank Gas service territory
|
Natural gas service |
Varies
/therm
|
Cut Bank area | Usage based | Utility | Rates |
|
Montana-Dakota Utilities
Eastern Montana natural gas utility
|
Natural gas supply and delivery |
Varies
/therm
|
Eastern Montana communities | Usage based | Utility | Rates |
|
Licensed Gas Suppliers
Competitive gas supply
|
Natural gas supply |
Varies
/therm
|
Eligible NWE customers | Plan based | Supplier | Learn |
* Montana natural gas bills can contain gas supply, transmission, distribution, customer service, taxes and other applicable charges. Rates and fees can change based on utility tariffs, gas costs, supplier plans, customer class and usage. Verify current charges with the applicable utility or licensed supplier.
Montana natural gas service
Compare Montana gas utilities and supply options
Montana customers should first identify the local natural gas distribution utility. Eligible NorthWestern Energy customers may then have the option of choosing a competitive gas supplier.
NorthWestern Energy
Montana natural gas service
Varies
by tariff
Supply
Natural gas
Delivery
Utility network
Choice
Available to some
- Major natural gas utility in Montana
- Serves a large portion of western and central Montana
- Operates former Energy West and Cut Bank systems
- Some customers can choose competitive gas supply
Montana-Dakota Utilities
Eastern Montana natural gas
Varies
by tariff
Supply
Natural gas
Delivery
Local utility
Area
Eastern MT
- Provides retail natural gas service
- Serves Billings and other eastern Montana communities
- Residential rates are governed by applicable tariffs
- Availability depends on service address
Competitive Gas Suppliers
Licensed Montana gas supply
Varies
by supplier
Supply
Natural gas
Utility
Remains local
Choice
Eligibility required
- Licensed competitive gas suppliers
- Available to eligible customers
- Utility transmission and distribution does not change
- Customers may receive separate bills
NorthWestern Energy — Great Falls
Former Energy West territory
Varies
by tariff
Utility
NorthWestern
Area
Great Falls
Rates
Utility tariff
- NorthWestern Energy now provides the service
- Former Energy West Montana operations
- Great Falls natural gas rates have dedicated tariffs
- Verify current rates before estimating monthly costs
Montana natural gas guide
Find My Gas Provider
How to choose a Montana natural gas provider
Start with your ZIP code and service address. First identify the local distribution utility. If the property is served by NorthWestern Energy and is eligible for gas supply choice, compare available licensed suppliers based on the complete cost of service.
Find My Gas Provider
Utility
Identify the distribution utility
Determine whether the property is served by NorthWestern Energy, Montana-Dakota Utilities or another local system.
Availability
Confirm natural gas service
Not every Montana property is connected to a natural gas distribution line. Verify availability by address.
Supplier
Check gas supply choice
Some NorthWestern Energy customers can choose a licensed competitive gas supplier.
Total Cost
Compare the complete monthly bill
Consider gas supply, transmission, distribution, customer charges, taxes and applicable fees.
Understand your Montana gas bill
What determines your natural gas bill?
A Montana natural gas bill can contain multiple components depending on the customer's utility, gas supply arrangement, plan and usage.
Cost of gas
The gas supply portion represents the natural gas purchased for the household. The cost can depend on the utility's supply arrangement or an eligible competitive supplier.
Delivery charges
Utility delivery charges support the local natural gas distribution system and delivery of gas to the property.
Customer charges
Bills can also include fixed customer, service, taxes, connection or other applicable charges.
Before choosing Montana gas service
Five things to check before choosing natural gas service
Confirm that a natural gas distribution system serves your property.
Identify whether NorthWestern Energy, Montana-Dakota Utilities or another system serves the address.
Check the current gas supply cost under the applicable utility or supplier plan.
Review monthly customer charges and other recurring fees.
Montana natural gas providers
Natural gas utilities and suppliers in Montana
Montana customers may encounter regulated natural gas distribution utilities and, in eligible NorthWestern Energy territories, competitive gas suppliers. Your address determines which services are available.
Montana natural gas service areas
Natural gas information by Montana city
Natural gas availability and utility options depend on the local distribution network. Enter your ZIP code to identify the natural gas service associated with your location.
Montana natural gas FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Important information before starting or changing natural gas service in Montana.
Who are the natural gas providers in Montana?
The primary regulated natural gas distribution
utilities include NorthWestern Energy and
Montana-Dakota Utilities. Some NorthWestern
Energy customers can also choose licensed
competitive gas suppliers.
What is the current natural gas rate in Montana?
There is no single statewide residential
natural gas rate. Pricing varies by utility,
gas supply arrangement, usage, delivery
charges, customer charges, taxes and other
applicable fees.
Does Montana have natural gas service?
Yes. Natural gas service is available in many
Montana communities, although not every property
is connected to a natural gas distribution system.
Who provides natural gas in Billings?
Montana-Dakota Utilities provides natural gas
service in Billings and numerous other eastern
Montana communities.
Who provides natural gas in Great Falls?
NorthWestern Energy provides natural gas service
in Great Falls. The company acquired the former
Energy West Montana and Cut Bank Gas operations
in 2025.
Can I choose a different natural gas supplier in Montana?
Some NorthWestern Energy and NorthWestern
Energy-Great Falls customers have a choice
of gas suppliers. Competitive supplier choice
does not change the local transmission and
distribution utility.
What is the difference between a gas supplier and a utility?
The local utility operates the transmission and
distribution system that delivers natural gas
to the property. A competitive supplier provides
the gas supply. Depending on the billing arrangement,
customers choosing competitive supply may receive
separate bills.
Is Energy West still a natural gas provider in Montana?
Energy West Montana is no longer a standalone
natural gas utility. NorthWestern Energy completed
its acquisition of Energy West Montana and Cut Bank
Gas operations on July 1, 2025.
What charges appear on a Montana natural gas bill?
Depending on the customer's service arrangement,
a bill can include gas supply charges, transmission
and distribution charges, customer charges, taxes
and other applicable fees.
How do I find my Montana natural gas provider?
Use your ZIP code and exact service address to
determine whether natural gas service is available
and which utility serves the property. Eligible
NorthWestern Energy customers can also investigate
available licensed gas suppliers.
Is natural gas cheaper than electricity in Montana?
The answer depends on the appliance, efficiency,
natural gas supply price, electricity rate,
usage and other charges. Compare the complete
cost of service rather than a single gas or
electricity rate.
Natural gas pricing disclosure: Montana natural gas pricing varies by utility, gas supply arrangement, plan, customer class and usage. Residential bills may include gas supply, transmission, distribution, customer charges, taxes and other applicable fees. Rates can change based on current tariffs, gas-cost adjustments and supplier plans. Service availability and competitive supplier eligibility depend on the customer's address. Always verify current rates, service availability and applicable terms with the relevant utility or licensed supplier.