Western Montana Public Power Forum

The Western Montana Public Power Forum was held on July 31, 2025 in Kalispell. This landmark event brought together more than 80 attendees — including legislators, regulators, utility leaders, and community stakeholders — for a focused discussion on the unique energy challenges facing our region.

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This event was hosted by Flathead Electric Cooperative, Missoula Electric Cooperative, Ravalli Electric Cooperative, Vigilante Electric Cooperative, Glacier Electric Cooperative, Lincoln Electric Cooperative, and the Montana Electric Cooperatives’ Association.

Event Recap

Flathead Electric CEO/GM Mark Johnson moderates Spotlight Session discussion with Governor Greg Gianforte and BPA Administrator John Hairston at the Western Montana Public Power Forum
Western Montana Public Power Forum Brings Regional Energy Issues to the Forefront

On July 31, Flathead Electric Cooperative had the honor of co-hosting the first-ever Western Montana Public Power Forum, held [...]

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Grid Panel Speakers at the Western Montana Public Power Forum

Flathead Electric Cooperative Community Relations Manager Katie Pfennigs, Montana Chamber CEO Todd O'Hair, Northwest RiverPartners Deputy Administrator Austin Rohr, PNGC Power COO Erin Erben, BPA Senior VP Transmission Services Mike Miller, Missoula Electric Cooperative GM Mark Hayden, Flathead Electric Cooperative CEO/GM Mark Johnson, and MECA CEO Mark Lambrecht at the Western Montana Public Power Forum

Flathead Electric Cooperative's Mark Johnson (left) and Katie Pfennigs (right) joined by Montana Governor Greg Gianforte and BPA Administrator John Hairston during the Western Montana Public Power Forum

Flathead Electric Cooperative CEO/GM Mark Johnson (left) and Community Relations Manager Katie Pfennigs (right) joined by Montana Governor Greg Gianforte and BPA Administrator John Hairston during the Western Montana Public Power Forum
MECA CEO Mark Lambrecht addresses audience at the Western Montana Public Power Forum

MECA CEO Mark Lambrecht addresses audience at the Western Montana Public Power Forum
Flathead Electric CEO/GM Mark Johnson moderates Spotlight Session discussion between Governor Gianforte and BPA Administrator at the Western Montana Public Power Forum

Flathead Electric CEO/GM Mark Johnson moderates Spotlight Session discussion between Montana Governor Greg Gianforte and BPA Administrator John Hairston at the Western Montana Public Power Forum
Flathead Electric CEO/GM Mark Johnson moderates Spotlight Session discussion between Governor Gianforte and BPA Administrator at the Western Montana Public Power Forum

Flathead Electric CEO/GM Mark Johnson moderates Spotlight Session discussion between Montana Governor Greg Gianforte and BPA Administrator John Hairston at the Western Montana Public Power Forum
Spotlight Session at the Western Montana Public Power Forum

Flathead Electric Cooperative CEO/GM Mark Johnson and Montana Governor Greg Gianforte address the audience at the Western Montana Public Power Forum
Attendees at the Western Montana Public Power Forum

Attendees at the Western Montana Public Power Forum
BPA Administrator John Hairston addresses the audience at the Western Montana Public Power Forum

BPA Administrator John Hairston addresses the audience at the Western Montana Public Power Forum
Governor Gianforte and BPA Administrator John Hairston address the audience at the Western Montana Public Power Forum

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte and BPA Administrator John Hairston address the audience at the Western Montana Public Power Forum
BPA Administrator John Hairston addresses the audience at the Western Montana Public Power Forum

BPA Administrator John Hairston addresses the audience at the Western Montana Public Power Forum
Governor Gianforte addresses the audience at the Western Montana Public Power Forum

Flathead Electric Cooperative CEO/GM Mark Johnson and Montana Governor Greg Gianforte address the audience at the Western Montana Public Power Forum
Attendees at the Western Montana Public Power Forum

Attendees at the Western Montana Public Power Forum
Flathead Electric Cooperative's Katie Pfennigs addresses audience during Western Montana Public Power Forum

Flathead Electric Cooperative Community Relations Manager Katie Pfennigs addresses the audience during the Western Montana Public Power Forum
Flathead Electric GM/CEO Mark Johnson, Northwest Power and Conservation Council Chair Mike Milburn and Council Member Doug Grob, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte, and BPA Administrator John Hairston at the Western Montana Public Power Forum

Flathead Electric GM/CEO Mark Johnson, Northwest Power and Conservation Council Chair Mike Milburn and Council Member Doug Grob, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte, and BPA Administrator John Hairston at the Western Montana Public Power Forum
Panel moderator Montana Chamber CEO Todd O'Hair, Northwest RiverPartner Austin Rohr and PNGC Power Erin Erben address attendees at the Western Montana Public Power Forum

Panel moderator Montana Chamber CEO Todd O'Hair, Northwest RiverPartners Deputy Administrator Austin Rohr, and PNGC Power COO Erin Erben address attendees at the Western Montana Public Power Forum
Western Montana Grid Panel at the Western Montana Public Power Forum

Montana Chamber CEO Todd O'Hair, Northwest RiverPartners Deputy Administrator Austin Rohr, PNGC Power COO Erin Erben, BPA Senior VP Transmission Services Mike Miller, and Missoula Electric Cooperative GM Mark Hayden provide a Western Montana Grid panel discussion during the Western Montana Public Power Forum
BPA VP Transmission Services Mike Miller and Missoula Electric Cooperative GM Mark Hayden address attendees at the Western Montana Public Power Forum

BPA Senior VP Transmission Services Mike Miller and Missoula Electric Cooperative GM Mark Hayden address attendees at the Western Montana Public Power Forum
Attendees at the Western Montana Public Power Forum

Attendees at the Western Montana Public Power Forum
BPA VP Transmission Services Mike Miller and Missoula Electric Cooperative GM Mark Hayden address attendees at the Western Montana Public Power Forum

BPA VP Transmission Services Mike Miller and Missoula Electric Cooperative GM Mark Hayden address attendees at the Western Montana Public Power Forum
Northwest RiverPartners' Austin Rohr and PNGC Power's Erin Erben address attendees at the Western Montana Public Power Forum

Northwest RiverPartners' Austin Rohr and PNGC Power's Erin Erben address attendees at the Western Montana Public Power Forum
Audience participates in live survey during the Western Montana Public Power Forum

Audience participates in live survey during the Western Montana Public Power Forum