Overview
On September 10, 2025, Governor Gianforte signed Executive Order No. 6-2025 creating the Governor's Energy Task Force. The Governor charged the task force with providing recommendations and strategies to increase the supply of affordable and reliable energy options for Montana. The bipartisan task force will meet regularly and provide recommendations in written reports to the Governor in September 2026 and January 2027.
The Director of the Department of Environmental Quality will serve as Chair of the Task Force. The Task Force will consist of up to 20 members who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor. All Task Force and subcommittee meetings will be open to the public with the option to participate via Zoom. All meetings will be recorded and made available on this webpage.
Contact
Christopher Wardell (406) 444-2813
Documents & Resources
- Executive Order (September 2025)
- Press Release (September 2025)
Sign Up for Email Updates
Task Force Materials
- Sonja Nowakowski, task force chair and director of the Department of Environmental Quality
- Marta Bertoglio, task force vice chair and director of the Department of Commerce
- Sen. Chris Pope (D-Bozeman), vice chair of the 2025 Senate Energy, Technology & Federal Relations Committee, member of the Energy and Technology Interim Committee
- Rep. Gary Parry (R-Colstrip), chair of the 2025 House Energy, Technology & Federal Relations Committee, member of the Energy and Technology Interim Committee
- Shannon L. Brown, managing director for west operations for Talen Energy
- Mike Cashell, vice president - transmission for NorthWestern Energy
- John Chesser, chief executive officer and co-founder of Quantica
- Sarah Clerget, of counsel attorney with Holland & Hart
- Rob Corbin, senior vice president of energy development for Sabey Data Centers
- Sean Farrell, chief operating officer for TeraWulf Inc.
- Ryan Fitzpatrick, executive director of development for NextEra Energy Resources
- Joe Geiger, director of generation at Montana-Dakota Utilities
- Spencer Gray, executive director of the Northwest & Intermountain Power Producers Coalition (NIPPC)
- Travis Kavulla, vice president of regulatory affairs at NRG and former commissioner on the Montana Public Service Commission
- Mark Lambrecht, CEO of Montana Electric Cooperatives’ Association
- Dan Lloyd, senior manager of community relations at Grid United
- Bob Morris, Lance Energy Chair at Montana Technological University
- Ed Rihn, Chief Executive Officer, BHE Montana, BHE U.S. Transmission and BHE Canada
- Andrew Schneider, U.S. energy manager at GCC
- Kate Wilson, Montana liaison for the Bonneville Power Administration
| Title | Date & Time | Location | Online attendance | Meeting materials | Recording |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy Task Force |
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 9:30-11:00 AM |
TBD |
TBD |
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| Energy Task Force |
Thursday, November 13, 2025 9:30-11:00 AM |
TBD |
TBD |
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| Growing Demand Subcommittee |
Tuesday, October 14, 2025 9:00 AM |
Online Only |
Growing Demand Subcommittee - Attend on Zoom Webinar ID: 843 7497 5525 Passcode: 737799 Join via audio: +1 206 337 9723 |
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| Generation Subcommittee |
Monday, October 6, 2025 8:00 AM |
Online Only |
Generation Subcommittee - Attend on Zoom |
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| Transmission and Markets Subcommittee |
Monday, October 6, 2025 9:00 AM |
Online Only |
Transmission and Markets Subcommittee - Attend on Zoom
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| Energy Task Force |
Monday, September 22, 2025 9:30-11:00 AM |
Governor's Reception Room Montana State Capitol Building 1301 E 6th Ave, Helena, MT 59601 |
Attend on Zoom
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